I want to do a daily soap, says actor model and actor Nikkiey Chawla

How has been your career so far?

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From modelling to acting, it’s been a good run so far. I did reality shows and then in 2018, after doing the short film Qaid, I wanted to pursue acting. I was offered a role in Saif Ali Khan-starrer Kaalakaandi, but I refused to play a transgender prostitute. I missed out on working in Made in Heaven 2, but I’m sure something will happen.

When did you decide to undergo sex change?

There is no specific time or duration when I felt the urge. When I was in 5th or 6th standard, I used to dance and people would tell my parents that God had made me a boy by mistake, I should have been a girl. At that time everyone would laugh about it but when I started growing up, my parents started feeling bad. Later, I got to know from someone about sex-change operation.

How did your family react to this decision?

My family didn’t support in the beginning because they themselves were very confused, plus the societal pressure. But then they realised my struggle and knew that I would need their love and support. My father financed my operation. I am thankful to God and my parents for being there for me.

How easy or difficult was it to deal with society?

Our society has the power to make or break you. When everyone got to know, people started talking negatively but now they know about my achievements. I stood strong on my ground that society should love me for who I am.

Mental health is a concern these days. How do you stay happy?

When I was going through depression, I got some strength from Deepika Padukone’s journey. I did meditation and tried analysing myself. I generally take a break between projects. I don’t expect much and am happy with little things in life. I am a loner but that doesn’t mean I am lonely. I like my own personal space.

What do you do to stay positive in life?

Whenever I feel unwell mentally, I go out for walks, solo trips, shopping or apply mehndi or watch a nice web series. In fact, my only suggestion to everyone is to not over think but take things easy in life. We only have one life, let’s live it.

So, what is your focus on as an artiste?

My focus as an artiste right now is to be a social media influencer because I want to connect and reach out to more people and create some good content like music videos, TV shows, films, reels etc.