Bigg Boss 16 EXCLUSIVE! Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia: Wouldn’t have taken up Salman Khan’s show if my parents didn’t approve

Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, best remember for her stint in Choti Sardarrni, has joined Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss 16. She was introduced as the first contestant. In fact, Nimrit was very excited to meet Salman once again. However, she might have not been a part of the reality show if it weren’t for her parents’ approval.

The actress talks Bigg Boss 16 strategy, what has working on TV been like for her and more with OTTplay. Excerpts…

How did you get finalized for Bigg Boss? Was it an instant decision?

(Laughs) The normal route is that they approach us and then we make the decision. That’s how I got finalized. Why I did, is what you should ask the makers. They must have seen something right in me. Was it an instant decision? No. You only think about opportunities when you actually receive them. I’ve been someone who has made really unconventional choices but it wasn’t an instant decision. I don’t do anything without the approval of my parents. So, I definitely kept them in the loop and asked them for their opinions as well.

Were you approached for the show previously? If yes, what made you say no back then?

This is the first time I’ve been approached and agreed to do it. Before this, I was doing Choti Sardarrni so I was also pre-occupied with that.

Are you originally from Manipur?

No, actually. I was born in Delhi, have stayed in Punjab and then moved to Manipur. I represented Manipur at Miss India and was in top 12 in 2018. Since my father’s job required us to migrate often, I have lived in eight-nine states.

Was the industry welcoming? Would you say things have changed for the better?

I cannot say that the industry was not welcoming. I am someone who has absolutely no association with it. The industry did really welcome me with open arms by throwing great opportunities at me, whether it was for my break as an actor for Choti Sardarrni or now doing Bigg Boss 16. The industry has been very welcoming.

Would you say Bigg Boss has helped people's careers? What do you think it would do to yours?

It is definitely the platform which gives people the opportunity to access a larger space and crowd. It is the biggest reality show which is loved and watched pan-India. Not just in India but also internationally. I do believe it is the show which has changed the trajectory of many careers.

What do I think it would do to mine? I have no idea. I wish I knew but I hope for the best and that people like me for who I am.

What do you think about getting into the battlefield with Bigg Boss himself this season?

(Laughs and coughs at the same time) It’s going to be very challenging but also fun. I’m very excited to be a part of this season and this season is seeing so much revamp happening. Bigg Boss is playing himself. It’s a time when all of us will be on our toes. That’s also what we really need to do – think outside the box.

Where do you see yourself after the show ends?

Like I said, life is very unpredictable. I wish I knew what was going to happen in the future. I would love to remain relaxed as a person if I knew. Sadly, that’s not how life works. I hope to be in a good space with myself, personally.