Splitsvilla fame Nikhil Malik: Acting is what I eat, breathe and sleep

Nikhil Malik travelled all the way from Delhi to Mumbai to become an actor. He did workshops at Kishore Namit Kapoor Institute and also took their four months course. However, the model-actor was removed from the course midway because he felt they weren’t teaching the real things related to acting. While his initial years were difficult, the actor is now slowly being able to find his ground. His participation in Splitsvilla changed the course of his career.

“I was new in the city and this happened to me. I cried a lot because I felt that my money got wasted and where will I go,” he shares. Looking back, as a child, Nikhil started as a dancer in school and did many stage performances. In college, he participated in several dance competitions and won many prizes too. “I also participated in beauty pageants but the one thing I was sure about was that ultimately I wanted to become an actor. I was scared that my parents won’t support me but they have been my backbone. I am an actor, who knows how to dance and also a model. Acting is what I eat, breathe and sleep,” adds the model-actor, who shares having learnt a lot during his stint in MTV Spiltsvilla X3.

“The Spiltsvilla experience was very good. When I was thinking about whether I go further or not I was very much worried about the way things were going when Spiltsvilla happened and it gave me a lot of boost. It brought back the fighting spirit in me. It also gave me fame. Even on social media many started following me. But yes I have much more to achieve. This is nothing and to be honest the love I am receiving I really appreciate it. I never thought that I would receive so much support,” he says.

Nikhil’s career goal is to do different characters on TV, web and films. And he is working towards his path dedicatedly. Many feel good looks are important to become successful in showbiz. But, Nikhil does not agree.

“Staying healthy, fit is good but I don’t think looks matter more than your craft and hard work. If we talk about good looks then Nawazuddin Siddiqui sir does not have the so-called conventional looks and he has spoken about how he has been told that to his face but that doesn’t make him any less a star. Ultimately, your skills and not your looks get you respected,” says the actor, who shares that his mother is his inspiration and he wants to play a role like that of Iron Man.

Talking about how the pandemic changed his life, he adds, “To be honest pandemic has not affected me much. I was working during the first lockdown and I am working even now. So more than anything else I feel the pandemic has made me lazy because work and everything is happening from home and I don’t like that at all. Earlier if I didn’t have any work, I used to step out of the house but now I can’t.”