Latest news with #Nikkhil
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Nikkhil Arya on playing the sharp and silent Kotwal in Tenali Rama; says ‘My character barely speaks, but always steals the scene'
The much-loved historical comedy Tenali Rama has carved a unique space on Indian television with its perfect blend of wit, wisdom, and whimsical storytelling. At the centre of the show's dynamic world lies the silent strength of Kotwal, played by Nikkhil Arya. Though the character speaks little, his presence is commanding—his stillness, discipline, and straight-faced humour adding a quiet gravitas to the bustling Vijayanagar court. In an exclusive conversation, Nikkhil Arya opens up about why Tenali Rama continues to be a creative high, the challenges of playing a near-silent character, and how his off-screen camaraderie with the cast brings scenes to life. 'It's Not Just Another Historical Drama' Sharing what drew him to Tenali Rama, Nikkhil says, 'What really drew me in was the show's format. It's not the usual historical drama filled with gods, wars, or larger-than-life battles. Instead, serious mysteries are solved in a light, fun, and satirical way—yet each story ends with a meaningful social message. Balancing that tone was both refreshing and challenging.' The show's unique treatment of historical storytelling with a moral spine struck a chord with Nikkhil, who found both joy and depth in its layered scripts. Evolving with the Character As the stoic Kotwal of Vijayanagar, Nikkhil's journey has been anything but one-note. 'I'm glad my character has evolved so much. I play the kotwal of the kingdom—a serious man who rarely smiles or speaks. But somehow, that straight-faced humour in tricky situations has really worked,' he explains. 'Shifting from quiet scenes to ones with emotional depth has been creatively satisfying. I also relate to the character's values and discipline. ' That balance between restraint and reaction has become the soul of his portrayal—quiet on the outside, but deeply expressive when needed. Performance Beyond Words Few actors are tasked with making such a strong impact with so few lines. For Nikkhil, this minimal-dialogue role has been both an exercise in restraint and a rewarding creative challenge. 'That's actually one of the most challenging and fun parts of this role. You don't need to make faces or be loud to be funny—it's all about timing, expressions, and stillness,' he shares. 'It's tough to pull off, but when it clicks, it really stands out. That's what keeps it exciting.' Virtues That Resonate Loyalty, justice, and integrity are the building blocks of the Kotwal's character, and Nikkhil found them personally relatable. 'These qualities really resonate with me. The only difference is that the character belongs to a different era, so I had to work on aspects like body language and speech to make him feel authentic, yet true to that time. It's all about finding that sweet spot,' he says. By grounding the Kotwal in authenticity while retaining universal virtues, Nikkhil ensures the character remains both era-specific and emotionally accessible. Laughter Behind the Scenes Working closely with Krishna Bharadwaj (Tenali Rama), Aditya Redij, and Kunal Pant, Nikkhil credits the camaraderie with making the experience even more memorable. 'The bond we share off-screen definitely reflects on-screen. The four of us get along really well, and that comfort makes our scenes flow naturally,' he says. Recalling a light-hearted moment, Nikkhil laughs, 'One hilarious moment I remember was when I got praised for a shot—only to find out later that my wig was missing! The makeup guy had forgotten to put on my kotwal hair, and none of us noticed until the entire scene was done. We had to reshoot everything, but we couldn't stop laughing about it.' What's Next for the Kotwal? As for what's coming next, Nikkhil promises more twists and layered storytelling. 'There's so much more fun, unexpected twists, and clever storytelling in store for the audience! What excites me the most is that even though my character rarely communicates through words, he still manages to leave an impact.' He adds, 'It's challenging yet incredibly rewarding to convey emotions, wit, and presence mostly through expressions and body language. If the audience is connecting with him despite his silence, I think that's a small but meaningful win for me as an actor. It's proof that sometimes, it's not about how much you say—it's about how you make people feel.'
News18
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Even Reviews Are Bought': Nikkhil Advani Gets Candid After Stolen Debuts Online
Last Updated: According to Nikkhil, the main reason behind the distrust is that everything is bought; even reviews are also paid. Abhishek Banerjee-starrer investigative crime thriller Stolen has now finally premiered on Prime Video. Karan Tejpal made his directorial debut in this film, which is backed by four renowned filmmakers who served as executive producers. Anurag Kashyap, Nikkhil Advani, Kiran Rao, and Vikramaditya Motwane came together to lend their expertise to the film. Stolen revolves around two urban brothers who witness the kidnapping of a baby and decide to help the mother by joining a perilous investigation to search for the baby. Ahead of the release, filmmaker Nikkhil Advani appeared in an interview with the Hindustan Times as he talked about the film and the current state of the film industry in general. Talking about being associated with the film, Nikkhil stated that although Stolen is a small independent film, it does not need big names to back it. 'Who are we? We are just putting our muscle or credibility behind this film," he explained while asserting that nowadays there has been a growing distrust between the audience and the filmmaker. Talking about this lasting distrust, Nikkhil explained the main reason behind this situation is that everything is bought; even reviews are also paid. 'Audiences today, thanks to social media, have got so much information," said the filmmaker. Nikkhil, who is known for widely popular films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Batla House, and D-Day, among others, went on to talk about the difference between commercial and independent cinema. According to the filmmaker, this distinction has existed in the Indian film industry for decades, and nowadays the choices are becoming smaller, whereas the huge demand to conform to the formula is only getting higher. He further explained that when a filmmaker wants to do something out of the ordinary, he has to make it marketable either with the cast, director, or producer. However, Nikkhil is hopeful this notion will turn and a good-quality film will find its audience. Additionally, while reflecting on the fact that Bollywood is currently facing a decline in revenue in the aftermath of COVID-19, Nikkhil noted that audiences are nowadays more inclined towards spending money on live shows and stand-up comedies and argued that with the help of good-quality films, audiences need to be won back. First Published:
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'Reviews are paid, everything is bought': Nikkhil Advani says Indian audience no longer trusts filmmakers
Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani is one of the four executive producers behind debutant director Karan Tejpal's new film, Stolen. Nikkhil, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Kiran Rao have come together to lend their weight to the film, which stars Abhishek Banerjee. Ahead of the release, the filmmaker spoke to HT about the film, the state of film distribution in India, and more. Stolen follows a time-honoured tradition of getting 'big names' as executive producers for small, independent films to ensure they have visibility. But Nikkhil says the Utopian goal would be not to be in such a situation. "A big point to celebrate will be that a film like Stolen doesn't need us," he says, explaining, "Who are we? We are just putting our muscle or credibility behind this film. I think there is a complete distrust right now between the audience and the filmmaker. Basically, the audience is saying, 'Whatever you say, we don't trust you. Reviews are paid, and everything is bought.' We are just trying to say, 'Trust us!' At the end of the day, there is a certain quality we are known for." Nikkhil, who is known for films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, D-Day, and Batla House, lauds the contemporary audience for being well informed, which makes them choosier. "Audiences today, thanks to social media, have got so much information. They've got everything on their fingertips," says the filmmaker. The demarcation between independent and commercial cinema has existed in Indian filmdom for decades. For years, the indie films were called parallel cinema. Then the term multiplex films came into being, and today they are referred to as festival films. Talking about the divide, Nikkhil says, "The choices are becoming smaller. The demand to conform to the formula is getting much higher. When you want to disrupt and do something off the beaten track, you really have to do something that is marketable, whether that is the cast, the director, or the producer. But, I am very hopeful that it will turn. It has to. A good quality film will find its audience." Over the last few years, since the COVID-19 pandemic, Bollywood has seen a decline in revenue and success rate in the theatres. But Nikkhil is quick to note: "The same audience is spending money in comedy clubs and live shows. Vir Das told me earlier he used to do India tour in 6 cities. Now, he does 60 cities." The implication is simple. "The audiences need to be won back, and that is possible only by listening to them," argues the filmmaker. Stolen, starring Abhishek Banerjee, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
