In this Telugu podcast episode, we sit down with Niharika NM, one of India’s most loved digital creators turned actors, for an honest and entertaining conversation about life, fame, and everything in between. From creating viral sketches in her bedroom to acting alongside legends in mainstream cinema, her story is one of courage, self-discovery, and creative evolution. We trace the story behind “NM” in her name, how an unexpected YouTube upload in 2015 changed her life, and the early Facebook days that set the stage for her rise. Niharika shares how Tanmay Bhat’s early recognition pushed her forward and how she became a household name through Instagram Reels and relatable storytelling.
She reflects on the shift from the creator world to the movie industry and how both spaces differ in pressure, pay, and creative control. While the move to films has been exciting, she admits it came with challenges: unpredictable schedules, sudden fame, and finding balance between authenticity and attention. With her signature wit, Niharika discusses how creators are often used to promote films or brands and why she believes audiences connect more to honesty than to virality.
The conversation gets personal as she talks about being bullied in school, dealing with performative kindness, and using humor as a defense mechanism. Niharika opens up about body image issues, unrealistic beauty standards, and the extra scrutiny women face online. She shares how she learned to stay confident through authenticity, not perfection, and how she handles online hate, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome when numbers drop or criticism rises.
Niharika also dives into the economics of both worlds, comparing pay scales between creators and actors. She believes creator-led brands are the future because of their personal connection with audiences, though she admits the career is unstable and brutally competitive. She recalls working with Yash, A.R. Rahman, and Mahesh Babu, sharing how each collaboration shaped her understanding of professionalism and presence.
From gender bias and misplaced anger online to brand ethics and controversies, Niharika’s take on the influencer space is refreshingly real. She talks about the kind of deals she avoids, why transparency matters, and how the internet can both build and break an image overnight. Her thoughts on Gen Z humor, changing audience behavior, and how creators build influence rather than just reach offer valuable insight into today’s digital world.
As the episode unfolds, she discusses how she picks movie scripts, her process for shaping characters, and why executing comedy on screen is harder than writing it. She shares stories about Brahmanandam garu and Ravi Teja, her content towards Little Hearts movie success, and what it takes to stand out in a world that constantly wants more.
Candid, self-aware, and full of laughter, this episode captures the real Niharika NM beyond the screen. Whether you’re a young creator, a film enthusiast, or just curious about how social media fame blends with cinema, this conversation is filled with lessons, humor, and heart. It’s a reminder that behind every viral video is a person learning, evolving, and trying to stay grounded in a fast-changing digital world.
