‘NOT JUST FAIR AND GLAMOROUS’

Niki Walia believes she is struggling to convince people that her ability to act is beyond a stereotypical look

Actor Eva Mendes, who is known for her performance in Training Day (2001), wants to now “set an example” for her daughters with the roles she plays on screen.

Ever since Mendes appeared in Lost River back in 2014, the actor has not been seen in anything significant lately.

And ever since she became a mother, her absence from the screen has not gone unnoticed by her fans, as they took to Instagram to question Mendes on when they’ll get to see her in a film again

“When can we the fans see u in some new movies @evamendes,” a fan questioned, to which the actor replied, “Hi! When there’s something worthwhile to be apart of,” adding, “As a mother now, there are many roles I won’t do. There are many subject matters that I don’t want to be involved with. I have to set an example for my girls now. But no worry, I got some side hustles. Ha! Thanks for asking. All the best for 2020.” Mendes shares two daughters – Esmeralda, five, and Amada, three – with actor Ryan Gosling.

IANS

After being a part of iconic TV shows such as Baat Ban Jaye, Andaz, Sea Hawks and Astitva, actor Niki Walia moved to the UK. She returned to acting with the TV show Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara, and since then, she has been working intermittently in films and TV. Now, she will be seen in an upcoming web show, starring Nakuul Mehta. She reveals what drove her to the project.

“I’ve played various roles including many of being a classy, sophisticated lady on screen, but, till date, I hadn’t played the role of a Punjabi woman. So when I was offered this new show, I jumped at the chance to do something different, to get into the skin of a character that I never played before,” she says.

Back home in UK, Niki has a family and kids, and has been shuttling between Mumbai and UK, picking up roles that excite her.

“I have never really been completely away from acting. I love the craft and the minute I step on to a set, even after a hiatus, I feel like I had never been away. Yes, multi-tasking is not easy between a home, family and work but I love it! I absolutely love all aspects of my life. There’s a lot of work that has to come which I haven’t taken up and some that I have, choosing my way through, looking for challenges. I’ve been acting since 1993.

I’ve done 26 shows as the lead actor, numerous cameos. But, recently, the kind of roles offered to me in the web space have not been as meaty as I would’ve liked. The lead roles offered don’t have exciting content.

Yet, I feel I have been blessed,” she says. While she has done a range of roles in her career, she is fondly remembered for her performance in Astitva. She admits that she still cherishes the experience on the show. Recalling what worked for her, she says, “My positivity towards my work and my love for the craft definitely worked for me. I love the people I work with and they love me back equally. Work becomes fun and crazy. Mad memories are made when you truly work in a positive environment with people you enjoy working with. But, even today, I am struggling to convince people that my ability to act is way more than my stereotypical look, that is being a fair and glamourous character.

In this age of advanced make-up technology and

VFX, nothing is impossible!”

PHOTO: DIMITRIOS KAMBOURI S/AFP