Nikki Galrani might be busy, but she looks super-happy. The actor, who has done a whopping 19 movies in the last two-and-a-half years, has a long list of films she is working on. And not just that, she is on the verge of signing several more.
“I love to work. I am what you would call a workaholic,” she laughs, as she names of some of the films she has just finished, and some she is working on. “Some of the films I have include KO 2 with Bobby Simha, Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran with Vishnu, Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva with Lawrence, Kadavul Irukkan Kumaru with G V Prakash and a film with cricketer Sreesanth. Apart from these, I have two Telugu films and one in Malayalam. I am also on the verge of signing a few more.” Phew, that’s quite a list!
Of these, her film with Bobby Simha, KO 2, will hit the screens this Friday. The film’s first part was a roaring hit, and its success has raised expectations from the second. Ask Nikki about this film and she says, “It is a political thriller in which I play a news reporter. The film is based on a lot of day-to-day issues. It also has a nice comedy track that involves Bobby, Bala and me.”
Nikki adds that the film will help raise an awareness on social issues. She explains, “For instance, take the issue of cleanliness. The government has been pushed to impose a tax of 0.5% to keep our surroundings clean. If one does not litter, there won’t be a need to levy this tax. Similarly, many of us believe that our responsibilities end with casting our votes. But they don’t. We have to work for the betterment of society. Such issues seem small but make a big difference when you look at the whole picture.”
Nikki is all praise for her director Sarath, who she says is very organised. She adds that he would often complete schedules ahead of time. Get her to talk about the experience of working with her co-star Bobby Simha and she says he is a delight to work with.
“You asked me what the biggest challenge of working on this film was, right? Well, it was overcoming the temptation to eat. On the sets, we would constantly get food from Bobby’s place. Bobby is a foodie and so am I. So, stopping myself from eating was a big challenge. Bobby would get awesome food accompanied by pickles every day. He was so fond of it that he had it every day. He didn’t mind even if his make up artist wasn’t there, but was particular about his food having pickles,” she laughs.
With the number of films she is doing in Tamil and Malayalam rising consistently, Nikki decided to shift base to Chennai from Bengaluru. But what about the heat, a complaint that those new to the city often raise?
“Having stayed here for a while, I’ve gotten used to the weather. I am so much at home here. Bangalore has pleasant weather, but now, when I go there, I find it cold and need a blanket,” she says.