I believe that respect is commanded not demanded: Nikkhil

Nikkhil Arya, who was last seen in the supernatural show Haiwaan, recently had an unpleasant experience with his co-star Ankit Mohan. Apparently, the latter sent derogatory and threatening voice notes and messages to Nikkhil, and the situation soon got out of hand. Nikkhil then approached the police and filed a non-cognisable (NC) complaint against Ankit.

Moving past the incident, Nikkhil says, “I’ve always shared a warm relationship with all my co-stars in the past. One bad experience is not going to affect my behaviour with co-stars in the future. From now on, I just might keep my guard up with certain people, who demand respect for nothing. I have always been a person who likes being focussed on what I’m hired for and avoid getting involved in issues, apart from work, on set. The younger generation maybe a little more impulsive and aggressive in nature, but a nice person is a nice person irrespective of age, I believe. In fact, I learn so much from the newer generation at times,” shares the actor, who has been part of showbiz for almost two decades.

The actor, who has acted in hit shows such as Kesar and Rabba Ishq Na Hove, doesn’t entirely blame the ‘generation gap’ for their impulsive behaviour. He says, “It’s really not a question of old or new generation. Actors across generations have been kind to me. I always believe that respect is commanded not demanded. With regards to a few individuals, sometimes they can change with time, when they get a bit successful and can’t handle it. I have seen many people come and go over the years. But specifically in Ankit’s case, I had handled the threats and abuses [up to a point]. But then, he crossed all limits of decency by dragging the women of my family in the crassest way. The police took note of every detail and filed and NC.” Ankit had worked with him in another show earlier, and Nikkhil recalls that he was quite respectful back then.