Nikki Tamboli is stepping into the vertical series space with Ex vs Wife, where she plays two contrasting characters opposite Vishal Aditya Singh. The actor says the opportunity appealed to her because it pushed her beyond familiar territory.
Nikki Tamboli is taking on a new acting challenge with Ex vs Wife, her entry into the increasingly popular vertical series format.
The project pairs her with Vishal Aditya Singh and gives Tamboli an unusual opportunity: she plays two very different characters within the same story, with one portrayed in a more positive light and the other carrying a darker side.
For Tamboli, that contrast was one of the biggest reasons she wanted to be part of the project.
Nikki Tamboli wanted a challenging role
After years of appearing on television and reality shows, Tamboli has developed a familiar presence among Indian audiences. With Ex vs Wife, however, she is looking to explore a different side of her acting.
Speaking about the project, the actor explained that she deliberately wanted to avoid choosing a predictable role for her first vertical series.
“I didn’t want to play it safe with my first vertical series. When I heard that I would be playing both sides of the story, I found that really exciting. They are two very different personalities, so I couldn’t approach them in the same way. That challenge was actually what made me say yes.”
The two roles require Tamboli to create distinct personalities rather than simply changing her appearance or mannerisms.
Playing two contrasting characters
Taking on two characters in one project also required Tamboli to move between different emotional registers.
One character allows her to explore a warmer and more relatable personality, while the other gives her an opportunity to portray a more negative and unpredictable side.
That contrast became an important part of the experience for the actor, who sees the project as a chance to experiment with her performance.
Rather than relying on the same approach for both roles, Tamboli had to establish separate emotional energies for each character.
Nikki Tamboli enters the vertical series format
Ex vs Wife also marks Tamboli’s introduction to the vertical series format, a style of storytelling designed primarily for mobile viewing.
Vertical dramas typically use shorter episodes, quick pacing and a mobile-first presentation. The format has been gaining attention as audiences increasingly consume entertainment through smartphones and short-form digital platforms.
For Tamboli, working within that structure offers a different experience from her earlier television and reality-show appearances.
Sharing screen space with Vishal Aditya Singh
Tamboli stars opposite Vishal Aditya Singh in the series, adding another dynamic to the project.
The combination of a new format and two contrasting roles gives Tamboli an opportunity to experiment with her on-screen presence while working alongside an established television performer.
Rather than viewing Ex vs Wife simply as a move into another format, Tamboli sees it as a project that allows her to attempt something unfamiliar.
With two sharply different characters to portray, the series could offer viewers a new perspective on the actor beyond the roles audiences have previously associated with her.
