Former Miss India is
Himesh Reshammiya's latest leading lady March
24, 2008
Mumbai, (IANS) Niharika Singh is no stranger to fame. At the age of 21 she won
the Ponds Femina Miss India Earth pageant. She is now debuting opposite Himesh
Reshammiya in John Matthew Mathan's "A Love Iiisshtory".
Not only that, Himesh has also decided to cast Niharika in his next film "Mudh
Mudh Ke Na Dekh Mudh Mudh Ke".
And it isn't just an ordinary you-sing-I-dance kind of routine debut for the
model-turned-actress.
Niharika plays a young prematurely affluent millionaire with enough money to buy
her own private jets in all her favourite colours.
"I don't know how it happened," Niharika laughs. "I never tried for the role,
never approached anyone. I never even thought I was eligible. One fine day I got
a call from the director asking me to see him. I think Himesh and John must have
seen my ads," Niharika told IANS.
Niharika is at the moment preparing fiercely for her part. "I'm attending Barry
John's classes every evening to prepare myself before the shooting starts in
April. But this period between being signed and facing the camera is
excruciating. I don't know how other debutantes cope with the waiting period.
I'm going nuts."
The role requires Niharika to play a standoffish no-nonsense heiress who deals
with billions across the table and has forgotten how to have fun.
"I play an heiress who doesn't enjoy wealth...until this street-smart dude
played by Himesh enters her life. It's actually like playing a female Vijay
Mallya, though much cooler than him."
So what does the heiress do to have fun? "Listen to Himesh Reshammiya tracks, I
guess," Niharika laughs.
"It's a challenge to play a haughty heiress because I'm nothing like that in
real life. I'm a very middleclass girl with values to match. And if Himesh and
John think I can carry off the female tycoon's part (earlier attempted by
Sridevi in 'Laadla', Priyanka Chopra in 'Aitraaz' and Bipasha Basu in
'Corporate') then I guess I must be good!"
An out-of-towner with no connections in the entertainment labyrinth of Mumbai,
Niharika arrived in the city five years ago with her kid sister Garima.
"My father who's in the tourist department of Uttar Pradesh trusted me enough to
let me be in-charge not just of my own life at that early age but also to take
care of my sister's future. I wish more parents in our country would trust their
daughters as much as they generally do their sons," says the 25-year old actress
with endearing spunk.
So is she a fan of Himesh's tracks? "Who isn't? I love his music. Sadly I can't
sing in his voice in my film."
As an after-thought she adds, "There're two Johns in my life right now...John
Matthew Mathan and Barry John. Now all I need is John Abraham. Maybe in my third
film. Who knows! Right now I'm just excited about two films with Himesh."
