Actor Nikita Dutta, who began her career in the glamour world with Femina Miss India 2012, has steadily carved her own space across television, films, and digital platforms. She made her film debut with Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014) and stepped into television with Dream Girl (2015), but it was Ek Duje Ke Vaaste (2016) that brought her significant recognition on the small screen.
Her return to cinema with Gold (2018) marked a turning point. It was followed by her widely noticed role in Kabir Singh (2019), which proved pivotal in reshaping how audiences and the industry perceived her. Since then, Nikita has taken on lead roles in The Big Bull and Dybbuk (both 2021), and more recently, earned praise for her performance in Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022). She also appeared in Zoya Akhtar’s segment of Lust Stories 2, opposite Neil Bhoopalam, which received favorable reviews.
Though her latest outing, Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, failed to impress critics or deliver commercially, Nikita remains upbeat. Speaking about the journey so far, she admits, “It’s been an adventurous ride. I’ve learned the most from phases when things didn’t work out.”
Reflecting on the rise of OTT platforms, Nikita says, “It’s made switching between mediums smoother. Back in 2018–2019, when I first moved from TV to films, it wasn’t easy. Post-COVID, audiences shifted to streaming content, and OTT gave actors like me a broader canvas.”
That transition wasn’t without its challenges. “Yes, there was typecasting. Being seen only as a TV actor was hard to break out of. Kabir Singh helped change that. After it, people started seeing me as a versatile performer rather than labeling me.”
When asked about her approach to adapting and evolving with each role, Nikita credits her television background. “TV gave me on-camera training every day. I learned about lighting, angles, continuity—all of which became second nature. Once those aspects are mastered, you can focus purely on performance. Like dance, acting improves with repetition.”
Her decision to take on a cameo in Lust Stories 2 was intentional. “I wanted to be part of that set and experience something different. I’ve always been curious. Even in Waking of Nation, which was shot like theatre, I learned something new.”
Asked about being compared to yesteryear actress Mumtaz, she smiles, “That’s such a big compliment. If people say that, I take it with gratitude—and responsibility.” On comparisons with Tripti Dimri after Kabir Singh, she says, “Early on, someone told me: chase growth, not fame. Fame is temporary, but your craft sustains you. I’d always want to be the long-distance runner, not a sprinter.”
Despite Jewel Thief not resonating with critics, Nikita enjoyed the experience of working with seasoned actors like Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Kunal Kapoor. “Watching them up close was like stepping into a different world. Jaideep is incredibly calm off-camera and transforms once the shot begins. Saif brings so much wit and charm—it keeps the mood light on set.”
Addressing the lukewarm reception to the film, she says, “Some people look for logic in films—Jewel Thief isn’t that. It’s a light, fictional story meant to entertain. I’m just glad people are watching and enjoying it. Not every film needs to be serious or dissected.”
With her grounded perspective and hunger to keep evolving, Nikita Dutta continues to be a talent to watch—quietly yet steadily building a space for herself in the ever-evolving world of Indian entertainment.
