Nikki Tamboli, a familiar face in the entertainment world, recently opened up about her life’s toughest phases. The actress, known for her vibrant presence on reality shows, revealed the personal battles she fought while trying to build her career.
After her memorable stint in Bigg Boss 14, Nikki was diagnosed with COVID-19. She made the difficult decision to isolate herself, asking her family to shift to their other house as they were recovering from different illnesses. During this time, her brother’s health took a drastic turn. Nikki recalled the pain of watching him suffer as he underwent multiple surgeries, including a hip replacement and knee operation. It was a phase that tested her spirit.
Despite the chaos around her, Nikki held herself together. She spoke about how her family’s closeness became her strength. She shared that no matter how bad things got, it was the love at home that helped her face every challenge.
The darkest chapter unfolded when Nikki’s brother passed away, just two days before she was scheduled to leave for Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. Recalling those agonizing hours, Nikki confessed that had she stayed back, she would have cried endlessly, making it harder for her parents as well. She believed her brother would have wanted her to go. In her words, “If I hadn’t gone, I would have cried a lot and so would my parents.”
Joining the stunt-based show wasn’t easy. The grief was still raw, and the challenges ahead were daunting. Nikki admitted that her heart wasn’t in it. She spoke about crying silently on set, carrying a heavy weight that most people failed to see. The pressure of performing dangerous stunts while dealing with personal tragedy left her emotionally drained.
Addressing the criticism she faced during Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, Nikki finally cleared the air. She acknowledged being terrified of certain tasks. She revealed that creepy crawlies triggered deep fear in her. But it wasn’t just about insects. The real struggle came with underwater stunts. In a chilling memory, she shared, “Mujhe meri death dikhayi de rahi thi. Mujhe laga mai mar rahi hu aur mere mom-dad ko kon bachayega.”
She explained that the fear wasn’t ordinary. Every time she was submerged underwater, thoughts of her parents surfaced in her mind. She couldn’t stop worrying about who would look after them if something happened to her. The burden of grief and responsibility clouded her focus, and as a result, she faltered during those stunts. People watching couldn’t grasp the inner turmoil she was battling.
Nikki admitted that while audiences judged her for her performance, no one understood the psychological storm she was weathering. She confessed that losing her brother, combined with the stunts and public expectations, took a toll on her. She fought hard against sinking into depression, though it wasn’t easy.
Still, she emphasized that every scar, every hardship, and every breakdown led her to where she is today. Through tears, fear, and criticism, Nikki Tamboli continues to prove that courage isn’t the absence of fear but the decision to face life anyway.
