Actor Nimisha Sajayan is receiving praise for her performance as ASI Babita Singh in the recently released Hindi film Babita Singh Reporting. Known for taking on challenging characters across languages and genres, the actress says she feels “overwhelmed by all the love” she has received for her latest role.
In a recent interaction, Nimisha opened up about the audition process, the physical transformation required to play Babita, her experience working in Hindi cinema and the importance of exploring characters that offer something new.
Nimisha Sajayan on Working in Hindi and South Indian Cinema
Nimisha says she has not experienced a significant difference between working in Hindi films and the South Indian film industry. According to the actor, the atmosphere on the sets of Babita Singh Reporting was collaborative, with everyone working together towards a common creative goal.
“Here in the South, it’s like a family. It’s a collaborative process,” she explained, adding that the experience on her Hindi film was similar. She noted that there was no obvious hierarchy on the set, describing the production as a group of people coming together to make a film.
For Nimisha, this shared approach to filmmaking helped make the transition between industries feel natural.
Why Nimisha Sajayan Gained Weight for Babita Singh
Playing ASI Babita Singh required Nimisha to undergo a physical transformation. The character was described as chubby in the script, prompting the actor to consider whether she could make the change necessary for the role.
After her first audition, Nimisha contacted the casting director and expressed her willingness to gain weight because she wanted to explore the character. Following two additional rounds of auditions, she was selected for the part.
The actor said the production team arranged professionals to monitor her health during the weight-gain process. During the subsequent weight-loss phase, her trainer supervised her diet.
Looking back, Nimisha considers the decision worthwhile. She described agreeing to the transformation as one of the best decisions she has made, emphasising how much she wanted to bring the character to life.
Her experience highlights the preparation that can go into a performance before filming even begins.
‘Once the Director Calls for a Cut, I’m Back to Being Nimisha’
Although Nimisha is often associated with intense and demanding performances, she says she also enjoys playing lighter characters.
She cited Mala, her character in Dabba Cartel, as an example of a role she particularly enjoyed. Unlike some of her more serious characters, Mala was blunt and offered a different kind of performance challenge.
Nimisha also explained that she does not remain in character after a scene has been filmed. She gets into the role between the director’s “Action” and “Cut” calls, but returns to being herself once filming stops.
Her approach suggests that she prefers to focus on the demands of a character while working rather than remaining immersed in it throughout the day.
Nimisha Sajayan on Her Upcoming Films and Series
Nimisha continues to explore different genres and languages. In the Tamil film Enna Vilai, she played a lawyer, adding another distinct character to her growing body of work.
She has also worked with Ashok Selvan on an upcoming untitled film. Recalling the night shoots, Nimisha praised her co-star for being supportive and fun to work with, saying that having a good co-actor helped her maintain her energy on set.
Her upcoming projects include Legacy, a Tamil web series featuring R. Madhavan, and Faraar, a Hindi project with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The release schedules and final details of these projects should be checked against official announcements.
Rather than limiting herself to a particular type of role or industry, Nimisha says she wants to keep experimenting with well-written characters she has not played before.
“I just want to explore every character right now,” she said, expressing her interest in roles that feel different from her previous work.
Nimisha Sajayan Looks Ahead to 10 Years in Cinema
The actor is approaching a decade in the film industry, a milestone that has prompted her to reflect on how far she has come. Nimisha admitted that the thought of reaching 10 years in cinema made her suddenly feel grown-up, but she remains happy with the work she is doing.
For now, her focus is on enjoying the process and continuing to act. With projects spanning Hindi and Tamil productions, Nimisha appears keen to use the next stage of her career to take on fresh challenges.
Her experience with Babita Singh Reporting reflects that outlook: from multiple auditions to a carefully monitored physical transformation, she embraced the demands of a role because she wanted to discover what she could bring to the character.
