Meet actor who got ‘intimidating’ acting advice from Shah Rukh Khan, had ‘very bad experience’ on his debut film led by Hrithik Roshan; faced huge setback post a big success

Meet actor who got 'intimidating' acting advice from Shah Rukh Khan, had ‘very bad experience’ on his debut film led by Hrithik Roshan; faced huge setback post a big success

As a lifestyle expert, I find Nikitin Dheer’s journey in Bollywood to be both inspiring and intriguing. His life experience is a testament to resilience, versatility, and the power of perseverance.


Known for his mesmerizing good looks and memorable villain roles, this actor hails from a lineage of stars in the entertainment industry. He first gained attention in Bollywood alongside Hrithik Roshan. Notably, he made an impression in one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most iconic films, receiving personal coaching from the renowned “King Khan” himself. However, despite starring in a blockbuster movie, he encountered an unforeseen drought, finding no offers for several months following the film’s triumph.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, the actor in question is Nikitin Dheer, son of the esteemed veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, famously known for his role as Karna in BR Chopra’s iconic Mahabharat. Nikitin made his mark in Bollywood with his debut in the 2008 film Jodhaa Akbar. Nikitin Dheer took on the challenging role of Sharifuddin Hussain in Ashutosh Gowariker’s epic Jodhaa Akbar, where he portrayed the adversarial brother-in-law to Hrithik Roshan’s Akbar. 

In an interview, Nikitin shared that the filming process was a difficult and disappointing ordeal for him, leading him to question his career choice. Despite his intense preparation, which included rigorous physical training and learning a specific dialect, the production was filled with obstacles. After spending more than 100 days on set, including a return trip from Istanbul to record his lines, he felt disheartened when someone else was hired to dub his dialogue without his knowledge.

Over time, Nikitin has built up an impressive collection of films, working alongside stars such as Salman Khan (in Ready and Dabangg 2) and Akshay Kumar (in Housefull 3). His transformation from a feared villain to a well-known figure in the industry demonstrates his skill and versatility.

In 2013, Nikitin achieved his greatest milestone when he played the villain Thangaballi in Chennai Express. This film, directed by Rohit Shetty, starred Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, and was a monumental success, earning almost Rs 400 crore worldwide and setting a new record as Shah Rukh’s highest-grossing movie at the time. After its release, Nikitin gained immense popularity online, as people were intrigued to find out more about this tall, handsome actor who had left such an indelible impression on the silver screen.

Although Chennai Express grossed Rs 400 crore, Nikitin found himself in an unexpected slump, being jobless for approximately 11 months. In a conversation with Times of India, he disclosed that neither Bollywood nor the South Indian film industry extended any offers to him during this period. His break eventually arrived with the Telugu film Kanche, which was followed by numerous Bollywood projects.

During the filming of Chennai Express, Nikitin Dheer received priceless acting guidance directly from Shah Rukh Khan himself. In an interview with Siddharth Kanan, Nikitin reminisced about a crucial scene where he had to grasp Shah Rukh’s cheek and say, “Do you think you’re a big hero?” in Hindi.

In a state of apprehension, I found solace in Shah Rukh’s words as he motivated me to fully embody the character. He urged, “Go ahead and do whatever you feel, in your unique style. The more daunting you seem, the more impactful the scene will become.” This encouragement from SRK played a significant role in my delivering an unforgettable performance.

During a recent interview, Nikitin Dheer opened up about his initial day on the set of Chennai Express. He confessed that he was taken aback by the situation because he was relatively new to the industry. On that day, Deepika Padukone and her team were present, as well as Shah Rukh Khan and his entourage. Furthermore, Rohit Shetty’s film sets are quite expansive.

In another version, he shared that he’d often sit alone in a corner, feeling out of place, but then an action by SRK left a deep imprint on him. Rather than inviting him over, Shah Rukh fetched a chair and sat beside him – a moment Nikitin will always remember vividly.

On a personal note, Nikitin Dheer is blissfully wedded to actress Kratika Sengar. During an exclusive chat with TopMob, Kratika revealed the delightful tale of their courtship. The story starts with an arranged marriage setup orchestrated by Nikitin’s father, Pankaj Dheer. Enchanted by Nikitin’s acting in Chennai Express, Kratika found him quite appealing and consented to a meeting.

From the get-go, our dialogue flowed seamlessly, centered on our mutual passion for canines. As we unveiled shared passions, our bond strengthened. The instant became extraordinary when Nikitin senior posed the question to Kratika, “Would you consider becoming my son’s bride?” The moment left her cheeks flushed with glee and anticipation.

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2024-10-11 17:07