Exclusive: “Every girl has a Phool inside her,” says Nitanshi Goel

Nitanshi Goel, a name that’s swiftly becoming synonymous with talent and charm, made a sensational debut in Kiran Rao’s directorial venture, Laapata Ladies. The comedy-drama saw Nitanshi stepping into the shoes of Phool, a village bride, and left audiences and critics alike singing her praises. Not only did she capture hearts with her performance, but she’s also smashing records as the youngest actress with a staggering 10 million followers on Instagram. Quite a feat for this multi-talented starlet who’s also a trained dancer and has graced nine TV shows with her presence. Nitanshi is over the moon with the reception she’s received. “I feel so loved,” she says with a smile. “The compliments are pouring in, and some people have even compared me to Shabana Azmi ji. Meeting her was a surreal experience. She said I reminded her of a younger version of herself, which was a huge compliment. We ended up praising each other endlessly.”

Landing the role of Phool was nothing short of a fairy tale for Nitanshi. “Laapata Ladies was almost life-changing for me,” she confesses. “Thousands of girls auditioned for Phool, and to be selected by Aamir Khan sir and Kiran Rao ma’am was unbelievable. I didn’t even know that Aamir sir was producing the film when I sent my audition tape. When I got the call that I was selected, it was a dream come true. Aamir sir even invited me for lunch! From that moment, I was determined to give my all to this role.”

Transforming into Phool required dedication. “I tanned my skin for three months to achieve Phool’s authentic look. Kiran ma’am and I worked tirelessly on dialogues and did numerous workshops. Sometimes, I doubted myself, but Kiran ma’am always believed in me. Seeing her smile after a good shot made everything worthwhile.”

Phool’s journey touched the hearts of many. “I was deeply moved by Phool’s story and wanted her journey to resonate with everyone. I believe every girl has a Phool inside her. We often doubt our potential, but like Phool, we can achieve anything we set our minds to. Hearing girls say they relate to Phool is incredibly rewarding.”

Meeting Aamir Khan was a dream come true for Nitanshi. “It was such a fan moment. Aamir sir is amazing in every way – his conversation, his performance, his respect for everyone. He took care of me and the team beautifully. He told me, ‘Always choose films that touch your heart and match your talent.’ That advice will stay with me forever.” Aamir Khan’s words of wisdom left a lasting impression on Nitanshi. “In Bhopal, someone asked him how he stays so happy. He shared that his mother taught him never to hurt anyone, and if he does, to apologise immediately. This resonates with me deeply.”

Despite her rising fame, Nitanshi remains grounded. “I’m from Noida, a middle-class girl with no filmy background. My father was a banker, and my mother a teacher. I’m currently a class 12 student in Mumbai. My love for the stage started with school drama competitions. Winning Miss Noida and Miss Junior North India were stepping stones. From there, I moved to TV shows, balancing my studies with acting. Even on set, I always had my school books with me.”

Nitanshi has her eyes set on future collaborations. “I adore Kangana Ranaut’s films like Queen and Manikarnika and dream of working with Shah Rukh Khan, Kartik Aryan, and Madhuri Dixit. I’m a big fan of period films and hope to work with directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Imtiaz Ali. Experimenting with different genres excites me.” Beyond acting, Nitanshi is passionate about dancing and singing. “I love to perform and spread love. That’s what I’ve learned and what I strive to do.” Nitanshi’s journey is a testament to following one’s passion.

“If a simple girl like me, with no acting background, can make it in Mumbai, then any girl can. With the love of the audience, I’m sure there’s much more to come.” Nitanshi Goel’s story is one of talent, hard work, and the pursuit of dreams. As she continues to shine in the world of entertainment, she remains an inspiration to aspiring actors everywhere.