In Kerala, I am called Lucky Star

In Kerala, I am called Lucky Star
By: Haricharan


Come January 15, Tamil audiences are going to root for a ghost in horror-comedy Darling, a remake of Telugu hit Prema Katha Chitram, in which Nikki Galrani is playing the titular role. Making her cinematic debut in the language, Nikki, sister of Sandalwood actress Sanjana, didn’t mind playing the ghost because she thinks it’s one of the characters any actor could debut with. “I’m part of the film right from the first frame to the last. I think one should be really fortunate to get such a character. Agreed I play a ghost and the get-up is not pretty, but I won’t be seen as a ghost throughout. The ghost, for whom the audience will root for, appears periodically, and I’ll also be seen in my normal look,” Nikki told Mirror.
Playing a possessed character is not a joke. It comes with a lot physical and mental strain. Nikki nods in agreement. “It was extremely challenging because I’m a 'peace lover' and I can’t scream. But this character had me screaming my lungs out every time I get possessed. We shot the whole movie in a single schedule in a house for 35 days, mostly during the night. We didn’t sleep in the nights for nearly a month. We’d shoot till the sunrise and go back to our respective rooms to rest, only to return in the evening. I ended up with a bad headache most of these days."
She also did her bit of homework to prepare for the role since it’s not every day does one get to play a ghost. “I tried to see how people act when they get possessed. I watched a few horror movies and Youtube videos of people getting possessed in real life. I wanted to see how differently I can portray the role. I also did a lot of stunts," said Nikki. Nikki is paired opposite composer G V Prakash Kumar, who is making his acting debut in the film. She didn’t hesitate to be cast with a composer. “I had no such qualms because he’s a composer who is more aware and well versed with feelings. It’s based on feelings, emotions and scenes he composes music. I feel that has given him the edge to understand and take up acting like a professional. It was absolutely fun to work with."

Last seen in Malayalam hit Vellimoonga, Nikki is delighted that her career in the language has started with a bang.
“Both my Malayalam films last year turned out to be big hits. They’ve even give me a new title called ‘Bhagya Nayaki’ (Lucky Star) after the success of 1983 and Vellimoonga. I have a big movie called Ivan Maryadaraman with Dileep coming up. I also have Rudra Simhasanam and Oru Second Class Yatra with Vineet Srinivasan. It’s exciting times ahead for me," the actress says.