‘Everyone was worried I’d expose secrets’: Niki Walia on her Bollywood exit and the backlash that followed

Niki Walia. Pic via Instagram

Niki Walia's decision to walk away from Bollywood was not as simple as outsiders assumed. The actor, known for films including Mr Azaad, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Pardesi Babu, eventually found a successful second innings on television. But looking back, she says the culture she encountered in the film industry played a major role in her decision to leave.

Niki Walia recalls Bollywood backlash

In a recent conversation with Zoom, Niki opened up about the way women were spoken to and treated when she was working in films. "Apart from the stupid things women were expected to do back then, there was also the tone in which people spoke," she said.

She recalled hearing remarks such as, "‘Oh, what about you... oh, what is this...' it was truly shocking." Niki also spoke about witnessing women being objectified in everyday conversations. "Objectifying women, talking like, 'Oh, she'll come call her over...' And I was listening to all of this; I was sitting right there among them."

For Niki Walia, it eventually became clear that she and the industry were simply not suited to each other. "The nature of the film industry and my own nature were different. Neither was wrong, neither was right. I wasn't right, nor was it wrong," she said.

Her decision to speak openly before leaving, however, came with its own consequences. Niki recalled facing backlash and believing that her comments could make it difficult for her to find work again.

"I faced a lot of backlash from the industry at that time. To a certain extent, I felt, 'Look, you've made your exit, but even if you were to ask for work now, after this article, no one is going to give it to you.'"

She believed people were worried she might reveal what happened behind the scenes. "Everyone was worried about what would happen if she exposed the inside secrets. This girl, who only just arrived, has written such a bold article. It just goes to show, she isn't afraid of anyone."

From films to television

But Niki refused to back down. "And why should I be afraid? For one thing, I am not lying. I am not wrongly dragging anyone's name into this," she said.

Her late father Narayan Aneja also played a role in her decision, telling her, "You are not made for this industry." After his death, Niki said she felt increasingly alone and eventually decided to make a clean exit.

"So, I had made up my mind to speak my truth and make my exit," she recalled. Moving to television subsequently gave her a fresh professional space, where she went on to become widely recognised through shows such as Astitva… Ek Prem Kahani.

Niki said people were baffled by her choice to leave films behind. "People would tell me, 'An actress doesn't just walk away like that after becoming such a big star; after starring opposite such a huge actor.'"

For Niki, though, staying true to herself mattered more than holding on to Bollywood's idea of success.