Niharika NM- In Chaos She finds her Comedy

• Ridhima Bhangay

From viral sketches to silver screens the internet’s favourite drama queen on authenticity, anxiety, and full-circle moments.

There’s something unmistakably electric about Niharika NM. The moment she enters a room, it’s hard not to notice the wave of energy that follows her quick wit, expressive eyes, and laughter that feels just a little bit contagious. Known for her hilariously unfiltered Instagram rants and her ability to turn the most mundane observation into a mini-performance, Niharika has spent the last few years building an empire out of being unapologetically herself.

Today, she’s in Hyderabad this time not for a reel or an influencer event, but for the promotions of her upcoming Telugu film Mitra Mandali. Between flashing cameras, fan selfies, and her ongoing collaboration with Bata India for their festive campaign Brighter Moments, she sits down with us for an honest, laughter-filled chat about fame, fear, film, and finding joy in chaos.

“I’m a very anxious person. I don’t enjoy reading things about me online.”

The internet has made her famous, but it has also made her vulnerable. When we ask if she ever gets affected by what people say or think about her, Niharika doesn’t sugarcoat her answer.
“I don’t usually enjoy reading things about me on the internet,” she admits, leaning forward thoughtfully. “I’m a very anxious person. I usually don’t entertain posts about me that aren’t posted by me so I guess you guys tell me,” she laughs.

It’s a reminder that behind the memes and one-liners is someone constantly navigating the balance between digital fame and personal sanity a challenge that comes with being one of India’s most visible Gen-Z creators.

The Method in the Mess

To her millions of followers, Niharika’s content looks effortless quick, sharp, and deeply relatable. But when asked about her creative process, she bursts into laughter. “Absolutely messy and chaotic!” she exclaims. “My process would be finding a process. But mainly, I just try to put out anything authentic and real that audiences will love.”

There’s something disarmingly human about that. Her work doesn’t follow formulas; it follows feeling. “I never want my content to feel over-produced or distant,” she says. “If it doesn’t make me laugh first, I know it won’t make anyone else laugh either.”

That sense of authenticity messy, emotional, and perfectly imperfect is what’s made Niharika NM more than just a creator. She’s become a cultural comfort zone; the internet’s loudest voice for every overthinker who hides their chaos behind humor.

Creator vs. Actor: Two Worlds, One Heart

The transition from sketch comedy to cinema wasn’t something she’d meticulously planned it just happened, as most things in her life do. “Being a creator is almost second nature to me,” she reflects. “Even though I never really wanted to resonate with only one craft, content creation is just so deeply rooted in me. I’ve grown up on the internet you could call me an internet baby.”

But now, with Mitra Mandali, she’s stepping into a whole new universe. “Films are so new to me, yet the thrill and excitement keep me going. I can’t call one easier than the other both demand focus, both need your whole self. And when you give that, they’re equally satisfying.”

For Niharika, acting feels like an evolution rather than a departure a way to stretch her expressive instincts into a longer form. “It’s still storytelling,” she smiles. “Just with a different camera angle.”

A Festive Season of Firsts

Diwali looks different this year for Niharika. It’s not just about lights and family dinners it’s about film releases, campaign shoots, and a calendar packed tighter than ever. “Just promoting my film Mitra Mandali and trying to spend time with family,” she says when asked about her plans. “And yes,” she adds with a twinkle, “I do have my Diwali outfit ready. It’s Karan Tohrani’s lehenga pre-release or not, a little glam never hurt anyone.”

Talking about her film, she lights up. “Mitra Mandali is a laughter ride with all of our favourite comedians. It’s something that’ll make you smile and feel lighter on your heart and ours.”

Full-Circle with Bata

Her collaboration with Bata India for their Brighter Moments campaign might seem like another glossy brand moment, but for Niharika, it’s deeply personal. “It’s festive and has lit up my world this Diwali,” she says warmly. “It made me realise how we use things without knowing how they’ve shaped us. As a kid, we’ve all worn Bata shoes and now, being part of their story in stores across India feels like such a full-circle moment. I’m truly grateful.”

In a world where creators often chase aesthetics, Niharika continues to value nostalgia finding depth in the ordinary and magic in memory.

The Rapid Fire Round: Because It’s Niharika

Gym or food? “Food!”
Heels or sneakers? “Heels.”
Morning or night person? “Both — depends on how the heart and schedule feel.”
Coffee or tea? “Coffee, always.”
Celebrity crushes? “Mahesh Babu and Michael B. Jordan — a combo that explains a lot,” she laughs.
Pastime? “Reading.”
Three things you never leave home without? “House keys, a comb, and a lip balm.”
Most used cuss word? “Ahaha, cannot be said here! Let’s leave it up to your imagination.”
Favourite emoji? “The monkey covering its eyes.”
Dream directors? “Rajamouli Garu and Mani Ratnam Garu — either would be a wild dream.”

The Power of Being Real

At the end of the conversation, it’s clear why Niharika NM resonates so deeply with her audience she’s honest. Her humour, though theatrical, comes from a place of self-awareness and sincerity. She’s both the joke and the storyteller.

“Authenticity is everything,” she says. “If you’re not real, the internet can tell. I think people don’t connect with perfection they connect with energy, with flaws, with laughter that comes from chaos.”

And maybe that’s the secret to her success. In a world obsessed with polish, Niharika continues to thrive in the beautiful mess of it all turning her vulnerability into her power and her chaos into comedy.