Being an entertainer is a serious job. No one understands this better than Parul Gulati, Niharika NM, and Shibani Akhtar—each having carved out careers beyond the ordinary in this space. Instead of following a traditional path, they continue to experiment with different formats, giving their audiences a taste of their versatility. Taking risks has become second nature for them, and let’s just say they make it look easy (even if it isn’t).
ELLE catches up with these leading ladies of the entertainment world to learn more about their dreams, passions, and what keeps them going.
Parul Gulati
Giving up is not in actor-entrepreneur Parul Gulati’s dictionary. A familiar face in OTT and Punjabi films, she always dreamt of making it big in the glamour world. A casting opportunity at an early age opened up myriad possibilities, which she seized and made her own. Besides her acting career, she’s also making waves as an entrepreneur with ‘Nish Hair’, a real hair extensions brand. She invites us into her world.
ELLE: Was acting always your calling? How did you begin your journey in entertainment?
Parul Gulati (PG): It was ‘luck by chance’. I was discovered on Facebook and went on to act in a TV series. I come from a humble background, where these things always felt out of reach. But there’s no denying that I wanted to see myself on the big screen or be a heroine on billboards. And here I am today, on the digital cover of ELLE. Let’s just say it feels great to see dreams come true!
ELLE: You’ve been a part of Punjabi films, TV series, and have also done some theatre. Which format is closest to your heart?
PG: Nothing can beat performing live before an audience. The spontaneity of the crowd—whether it’s their adulation or gasps—is real and yet feels unreal. It gives me an incredible kick. You are in a trance when you immerse yourself in any character for a few hours. There are no cuts or retakes in theatre.
ELLE: You also seem to be slaying the entrepreneurial game. Tell us more about being the ‘malkin’ of Nish Hair.
PG: There was a moment when my hunger to create more was at its peak, primarily to make a difference in the lives of people. I believe my ADHD helped me since it lets me juggle multiple thoughts and allows me to act upon them at the same time.
Hair extensions have always excited me. I would play with a set that I owned in 2011. I would either cut it, reassemble it, or style it the way I liked. It seemed like there was an obvious gap in the market that needed to be filled. Whenever I wanted to shop for hair extensions online, I couldn’t find any original content on it. It took a lot of groundwork, especially shattering the stereotype that hair extensions are not wigs.
ELLE: What sets your brand apart from the rest?
PG: I would say the content! It’s authentic, and I simply tell my story. Being an actor, storytelling comes naturally to me, and I try to extend that to my brand and its content.
ELLE: What’s your advice to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
PG: Just be real in everything you do. While it may sound silly, I believe one must not learn from others’ mistakes. When you take a risk or venture into uncharted territory, even if it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, how you react or make your dreams come true is your journey. Learn from your mistakes, set your rules, and be bloody real. And remember the age-old adage: ‘There’s no substitute for hard work.’
Niharika NM
With over 3 million followers on Instagram, Niharika NM is one of the most popular content creators today. But little did the engineering graduate know that this was the career in store for her! Her relatable reels and regional accent are distinct markers of her social media personality, which people have come to love. No wonder she’s called the ‘kween of comedy’. But it’s not just content creation that excites this versatile influencer—she’s also set to make her debut on the big screen! In a candid chat, she spills the beans about her journey and more.
ELLE: You pursued a degree in computer engineering but eventually went on to create content. How did that switch happen?
Niharika NM (N): Honestly, a switch was never consciously made. I always had fun creating content on the side while I pursued my engineering and master’s degrees. It’s always been my creative outlet, and I never imagined being able to do it full-time because it wasn’t even considered a real job back when I started. However, after earning my postgraduate degree and gaining a few years of experience, I felt it was the right time to give content creation a fair shot. I dove in headfirst and haven’t looked back since.
ELLE: You’ve earned the tag of one of the most entertaining content creators on the internet through your relatable comedy. What has gone into cracking this?
N: I don’t think I’ve ever mapped out a strategy to crack it. However, I did notice that the more myself I was, the more people gravitated towards me and my content. Having spent most of my childhood trying to fit in, it also helped me lean into who I truly am and be comfortable in my own skin. I believe my audience can see that, which is why they give me so much love! I also have to say that I get most of my sense of humour from my dad. He’s always been hilarious, so I think I just ripped off his personality (laughs).
ELLE: You’ve had three appearances at the Cannes Film Festival. How has the experience been?
N: I’ve had the best time every year at Cannes. I find myself fortunate to be around so many talented filmmakers and to watch films from all over the world. It’s nothing short of a privilege to call it a part of my job, while playing dress-up on the side. It’s an incredible opportunity for me as a creator to be on a global stage like this.
ELLE: There’s also a Telugu film in the works…
N: I am so excited to talk about it that I am worried I will say too much and get into trouble (laughs). But there are two Telugu films in the pipeline. One is an out-and-out comedy, a family entertainer I am currently filming. The other is a thriller that I am equally ecstatic about. The cast in both these films is fantastic, and I learn so much from them. I hope and pray that people have as much fun watching them as I have had making them!
ELLE: Tell us more about your role in the Netflix series, Big Mouth.
N: Never in my wildest dreams could I have ever imagined working with the likes of Jordan Peele, Maya Rudolph, and Nick Kroll! Having been a massive fan of the show, I was in a constant state of disbelief when I was offered a role to represent India and our culture in their global episode, which also starred icons like Megan Thee Stallion and Lupita Nyong’o!
The show explores the complexities of adolescence and encourages open conversations about the human body. I played a teenager representing the experiences of an archetypal Indian female adolescent.
ELLE: What’s next on the cards?
N: I think it’s getting through the next six months of filming and learning, and then waiting patiently for everything to release. Simultaneously, I will try to push my creative limits and create content that brings me joy and hopefully puts a smile on someone’s face.
Shibani Akhtar
Shibani Akhtar wears many hats, yet she always seems at ease. From hosting TV shows to being on our screens during IPL, she has always made the right noise with her confidence and style game. And let’s just say there’s nothing that she can’t do. After regaling her audiences with her acting in shows like Four More Shots Please! and Made in Heaven season 2, she’s also taken on the role of a creator and is looking to explore the world of filmmaking. There’s Dabba Cartel in the works, and we can’t wait to dive into it. ELLE chats with the multi-hyphenate to learn all about her plans.
ELLE: You’ve been a part of the entertainment industry for a long time. How did you venture into it?
Shibani Akhtar (SA): I’ve been singing and dancing since I was a kid! Most of my childhood memories are all about performing on stage. So, it seemed like a natural progression career-wise. Growing up in Australia, I didn’t think it was necessarily possible to be a part of the field, since the industry was filled with predominantly Caucasian faces. It was only after I moved to India that things started working out.
My first job was that of a host for a TV show, Men 2.0—something completely unplanned! I was travelling at the time of the auditions, and my agent back then convinced me to shorten my trip and get back to Mumbai. I ended up getting the part, and things kind of snowballed from there. Later, I got another show on VH1 and Zoom, before IPL.
ELLE: Over time, you’ve taken on different roles—that of an actor, singer, VJ, producer, and entrepreneur. What’s your secret to juggling so much at the same time?
SA: I have been lucky to experience little bits of acting, singing, and hosting. Now, I also enjoy being a creator. I think these things keep me on my toes and get me excited. I like doing different things and enjoy the experience of wearing different hats. I don’t think it’s difficult to juggle when you love doing something so much. It’s always a new day, a new venture, and something exciting to look forward to. That’s what keeps me going!
ELLE: What are some of the other passions that you swear by?
SA: Since I was little, I have always harboured a love for fashion and anything that fits into the arena of style. It doesn’t necessarily have to be clothing; it could also be interiors. I enjoyed it so much that at some point, I thought it could be a career. Or maybe someday it can be another hat I wear—who knows?
ELLE: What inspired you to become a creator, and what has the journey been like with Dabba Cartel?
SA: What inspired me to be a creator were moments early on in my relationship with Farhan (Akhtar). I was with him during the COVID lockdown and watched him work on the film Toofan. I was around him, listening, watching, and learning so much about the process! It sparked something in me, making me want to don this hat. So, I thought this is something I would love to try.
As I started doing it, I realised it was my calling and could be the way forward. That’s how Dabba Cartel happened. Farhan continues to be a part of that inspiration because I’ve learned so much about the show-making process from him.
ELLE: What does the future hold for you in this space?
SA: I hope the future is bright for me. It’s fulfilling, and currently, I am trying to wrap my head around it because it’s so different from everything else I’ve done! I think once I master the discipline of sitting down and putting story ideas together and learning how to develop and write them, I will get better at it. I find myself in a space where I am constantly looking at things and thinking, ‘Oh, that could be an interesting movie or show idea.’
Once the seed has been planted, you do everything you can to make it grow. It’s something I want to solidify as a career.
ELLE: Any advice to someone who wants to emulate your career trajectory?
SA: It might sound a little cliched, but there were moments in my life when I didn’t think it was possible to have a career in the entertainment industry. But I always wanted to be a part of it because I loved singing, dancing, and just being on stage! Things evolve, and the plans you have for yourself constantly change and grow as your experiences happen. I think being open to different possibilities is important. From there, go all out, get what you want, and make it happen!
ELLE India Editor: Ainee Nizami Ahmedi, Photographer: Mayank Mudnaney, Lead Stylist: Komal Shetty, Cover Design: Sakshi Badani, Words by: Geetika Sachdev, Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil, Assisted by: Idris Nidham (styling), Hair: Sahil More (Parul), Azima Toppo (Shibani), Sapna Mhatre (Niharika), Make up: Jui Morgaonkar (Parul), Eshwar Log , (Shibani), Sakhshi Sabhaney (Niharika), Production: Cutloose Productions, Artist Management: Hardly Anonymous Communications (Parul), Exceed Entertainment (Shibani)
