Niharika Chouksey Keeps Character and Personal Life Separate

Actress Niharika Chouksey has built her career on roles that challenge norms and spark dialogue. From portraying a transgender character in Aaina to exploring an age-gap romance as Anu in Tumm Se Tumm Tak, she consistently embraces stories that invite both appreciation and debate. In her current show, the premise of a young woman falling for an older man has generated discussion, yet Chouksey views such responses as part of the territory.

“I have always played different kinds of characters that have always been controversial, be it in Aaina, Faltu, or Tumm Se Tumm Tak,” she reflected. Despite initial skepticism around project names and concepts, each show ultimately found strong audience acceptance. “I am very thankful that each of my shows has received so much love and acceptance from the audience.”

The role in Aaina proved particularly transformative. “I was very excited for Aaina because I was getting to play something different,” Chouksey recalled. Interacting with real transgender individuals on set deepened her understanding. “On the sets of Aaina, we used to have real transgender people on set, and I used to spend time with them and learn about them. As an actor, this is the beauty of the craft: as Niharika, I can play so many characters and get to truly live them.”

Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Sharad Kelkar in Tumm Se Tumm Tak has been widely appreciated. Chouksey attributes this to the strong off-screen rapport. “Honestly, our bond was formed on day one itself. We have a very good friendship, comfort, and understanding between us, and that reflects on screen,” she shared. Despite growing up watching Kelkar’s work, she experienced no intimidation. “Sharad sir never made me feel like a junior. All of us work as a team.” This mutual respect extended to romantic scenes, fostering natural comfort.

Off-screen, Chouksey remains intentional about preserving her individuality. “Every actress goes through that. Heroines are portrayed in a certain typical way on television, so people find it hard to accept Niharika,” she observed. Early on, trolling affected her, but she developed a healthy perspective. “I really do not care about trolling. I cannot lose my identity while playing Anu, so I keep my character and my social media completely separate.”

She now focuses on the positive. “I have stopped paying attention to it... More than trolls, I receive double the love.” Chouksey actively shares her real personality through Instagram content. “On Instagram, I post both as Anu and as Niharika, and I show my personality through vlogs, reels, stories, and posts. Niharika has a different personality than Anu. I am not Anu in real life, and I make sure that people get to know Niharika just as they know Anu.”

Niharika Chouksey’s approach — embracing challenging roles while safeguarding her personal identity — reflects a mature understanding of fame. By maintaining clear boundaries between character and self, she continues to evolve as both an artist and an individual, earning respect for her authenticity on and off screen.