Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, widely recognized for her iconic role in Choti Sardarni, has recently garnered attention through her participation in reality shows like Bigg Boss 17 and Khatron Ke Khiladi 14. Despite her success, Nimrit’s journey has not been without struggles. From battling depression and body shaming to making bold career decisions, she has navigated personal and professional hurdles to emerge stronger. Now, as she embarks on her Punjabi film journey with Shaunki Sardar, Nimrit candidly discusses her experiences and the lessons she has learned along the way.
Nimrit’s Weight Loss Journey: Battling Depression and Hormonal Imbalance
“I was diagnosed with depression on the sets of Choti Sardarni, and in just six months, I gained 15 kgs,” Nimrit recalls, describing one of the most challenging phases of her life. She explains that the weight gain wasn’t due to poor lifestyle choices but a direct result of hormonal imbalance and the side effects of antidepressant medication. “When you’re on antidepressants, your body retains a lot of water and stores fat,” she says, adding that this was a particularly difficult time for her.
Despite being known for her fitness during her time on Choti Sardarni, her appearance became a topic of scrutiny when she joined reality shows. “People began to body shame me,” she shares, admitting that hearing such comments was frustrating, especially when she had always maintained a fit image. “But I didn’t give up. I worked hard to shed the weight, and eventually, I got the results.”
Body Shaming and Societal Pressure on Women
Nimrit reflects on how body shaming affects women more than men due to societal pressures. She believes that the expectations placed on women to look beautiful stem from deep-rooted beliefs. “For centuries, women have been seen in traditional roles, and even though we’re progressing, that mindset hasn’t completely changed,” she points out. Nimrit emphasizes that women today, even those in professional fields, still feel immense pressure to conform to certain beauty standards.
“Women are expected to look a certain way, be it at work or in their personal lives,” she says, highlighting how these unrealistic standards affect mental health and self-esteem. “We need to change our thinking as a society if we want to see real progress.”
Moments of Pride: Taking a Stand for What’s Right
Nimrit recounts a pivotal moment during her college years when she stood up for a fellow student. “There was a lot of tension over an issue where a student was being framed,” she explains. She supported the student despite the intense pressure from peers. “When that student was later proven right, I felt proud of myself for taking a stand,” Nimrit shares, adding that she has always had the courage to speak her mind, even in difficult situations.
Another proud moment for her was when she decided to pursue a career in acting, despite studying law. “It was a big deal to tell my parents that I wanted to follow my passion for acting,” she says, acknowledging the courage it took to make that decision.
The Dark Side of College: Bullying and Its Lasting Impact
Nimrit also opens up about the darker side of her college experience, where she became a victim of bullying and online harassment. “When I was 17, I was bullied, and it shattered my self-esteem,” she reveals. The era of anonymous Facebook confession pages allowed people to write hurtful things, and Nimrit was frequently targeted for her looks.
“People would call me ugly, and it had a long-lasting impact on my self-confidence,” she recalls. It took years for her to recover from the trauma of being publicly humiliated. “I used to think I wasn’t beautiful,” she admits, highlighting how bullying can leave deep emotional scars.
Reality Shows: Life-Changing Experiences in Bigg Boss and Khatron Ke Khiladi
Reflecting on her experience in reality shows, Nimrit says that participating in Bigg Boss 17 changed her in ways she hadn’t expected. “Before Bigg Boss, I was very different. But those four and a half months in the house gave me the opportunity to understand myself better,” she explains. Living in such an intense environment helped her develop resilience and strength. “If I could survive that, I can face anything,” she adds, calling it a personal victory.
Khatron Ke Khiladi, on the other hand, was a different kind of challenge. “It gave me the chance to prove myself physically with every stunt,” she says, describing the adrenaline and excitement of the competition. “I felt like a hero after facing every challenge head-on.”
Entering Punjabi Cinema: A Dream Realized
With her new Punjabi film Shaunki Sardar, Nimrit is expanding her horizons as an actor. Although she had received offers for Punjabi films earlier, she didn’t feel the timing was right. “Last year, I was offered 4-5 Punjabi films, but I didn’t feel like saying yes to any of them,” she says. However, when Shaunki Sardar came her way, she knew it was the right fit. “The film’s director, Dheeraj Jatan, who wrote Jatt and Juliet, offered me a strong, human character, not the typical heroine,” she explains, excited about the role.
Being Punjabi gave her an advantage on set, but she admits that working in her native language still had its challenges. “In Hindi, I can improvise easily, but Punjabi requires more effort,” she shares, acknowledging the nuances of performing in a different language.
Working with Guru Randhawa: A Fun and Memorable Experience
In Shaunki Sardar, Nimrit shares the screen with the popular singer-actor Guru Randhawa, and she couldn’t be more thrilled. “I’ve been listening to his music since my college days,” she says. Working with Guru, she found him to be “a very nice person” who created a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere on set. “He’s very kind and fun to work with,” Nimrit adds, expressing her admiration for his down-to-earth nature.
