Nikitin Dheer: It has been very satisfying on the work front in 2024

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): With 2024 inching towards an end, actor Nikitin Dheer has looked back and said that it has been a very fruitful year and satisfying on the work front for him. “It has been a very fruitful year and very satisfying on the work front, with so much fun work I am very grateful to Mahadev.. I don't believe in resolutions, so I stay away from that rabbit hole,” said the actor, who is fondly remembered as Thangaballi from the 2013 film “Chennai Express.” The son of veteran actor Pankaj Dheer is all set to make his Punjabi film debut with “Akaal” in the coming year.

Asked what made him say yes, Nikitin said: “The fact that it's being made by Gippy Grewal and Humble pictures, which is the biggest name in Punjab and the fact that it's a very powerful and intense character, it was very appealing. ‘Akaal’ comes this April and I am looking forward to it.” The actor was recently seen in Sidharth Kumar Tiwari’s Shrimad Ramayan as Raavan and was feted with an award for the portrayal. He said that it feels like it has come full circle.

“For that first meeting in Sidharth Tewary's house to hold the award on stage and people calling out Raavan. Feels great in every way when the hard work, sweat and blood pays off and is appreciated by the audience,” he said. Nikitin made his acting debut in 2008 with Ashutosh Gowariker's historical drama “Jodhaa Akbar”, in which he co-starred alongside Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, as Sharifuddin Hussain, Akbar's brother-in-law. He was then seen in a string of films including “Ready”, “Dabangg 2”, “Housefull 3”, “Goutham Nanda”, “Shershaah” and “Sooryavanshi” to name a few.

Apart cinema, he has also showcased his acting prowess on the small screen with “Dwarkadheesh Bhagwan Shree Krishn”, “Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha”, “Ishqbaaaz” and “Naagin 3” Does he plan to come back on TV or is OTT and films keeping him busy? “There are so many stories that can be best told on television or through OTT, if I get something really worthwhile I shall leap at it on television. I have had the best time working with Swastik so if something interesting comes from them, I am all ears,” he said. Talking about what’s on his work list in the pipeline, Nikitin said: “I have a very interesting film happening and a fun OTT project that I am looking forward to in the start of 2025.”