Limelight is in her genes and dreams in her hazel eyes. Daughter of veteran director JP Dutta and actress Bindiya Dutta, Nidhi Dutta was for the camera born. Effervescent like her mother and resolute like her father, Nidhi seems to have the right combination to make the right impact. Her debut film, the romcom Jee Bhar Ke Jee Le, directed by Binoy Gandhi and produced by JP Genes Productions seems to be the perfect launch vehicle. Here, she plays a travel blogger. “It’s a bubbly character. I wish I could be more like her,” she muses. Ajit Sodhi (son of actress Nafisa Ali) her co-star, happens to be her bestie. “I have known him all my life. I still have the picture of my third birthday, which I celebrated on the set of dad’s Kshatriya. I was cutting the cake sitting on Papa’s lap and Ajit was in his mom’s lap. We share a comfort level,” she smiles.
She started out as an assistant director. “I wanted to start from scratch, because that’s how my father and my grandfather (late writer OP Dutta) started. I love being on the set. I used to play hookey from school and drop in on dad’s sets. You have got to be there to understand what sort of hard work goes into making movies. For instance, I was once on location for Border. Action director Bheekhuji (Verma) said, ‘Beta apne kaan band kar lo, blast hone wala hai!’ I saw the unit bend down on their haunches. Suddenly, the whole unit was covered with white sand.” She adds, “Also, most of Papa’s team has been with him since Ghulami. I wanted them to accept me as a professional and not just as his kid. Today, I am on backslapping terms with the light man, cameraman and the entire crew,” she states.
Nidhi reveals her father always thought of her as an actor. “When I was four I’d dance on Jumma chumma de de (Hum). I’d watch mom’s Dial 100 every day till I was 14. I have grown up seeing my father discussing scenes with my grandfather.” She cites Kajol and Kareena Kapoor Khan as her role models. “I’ve watched Kareena when dad was directing Refugee and LOC. She can play serious as well as vivacious characters. Shah Rukh Khan is my favourite actor. He only has to spread his arms and main unki baahon me hoti hoon… like every other girl in India. I love Hrithik Roshan, he’s such a perfect actor.”
She reveals her dad is her hero though. “He’s a perfectionist. He’s known for his temper but with me he has never been stern towards me. My parents are protective about me and my sister Siddhi. They don’t want to see us get hurt. I’m close to both of them in different ways. My mother is my emotional anchor. At the end of the day when I come home, I need mom, whereas dad and I discuss everything. I also provide him gossip,” she laughs. She asserts she’s set her own rules. “Papa never asks me to come home by 10. But when I return post 11 pm, I see him roaming around the dining area or peeping out from the window. It warms my heart, it makes me happy. Even my grandfather at 89, would stand in the window till my father came home.” She goes on to share the advice her parents gave her, “Dad’s diktat is do your best and leave the rest to God. Mom cautioned that at some point you will face failure, there will be highs and lows, so be prepared.”
Nidhi has no qualms about doing intimate scenes and understands that after all it’s a glamorous business. “If I have a bikini body I will show it. It’s necessary to look good, keep fit. I don’t believe in size zero. But yes, I lost 26 kilos to become an actress. It was difficult. When I was an assistant director I had put on weight. We had erratic meal timings. My grandparents were unwell. I was emotionally stressed. But I have put it all behind me. Today I am a different person.”
Rapid Fire
A cherished gift… A huge stuffed tiger gifted by dad.
The first love letter… hopefully it will come after my film release.
My first salary… was the 5000 rupees I received as an assistant director.
My favourite films are… Meet Joe Black and Hum Saath Saath Hain.
My favourite book is… Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi.
My favourite songs… Lag ja gale (Woh Kaun Thi) and Tum se mila tha pyaar (Khatta Meetha)
I enjoyed dad’s… Border and Kshatriya
I loved mom in… Gol Maal