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.