imported>BB71CM: /* Career */

2021-09-03T19:52:41Z

Career

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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox pageant titleholder
| name = Niharika Singh
| image = Niharika Singh.jpg
| caption = Niharika Singh in 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|08|31|df=yes}}
| birth_place = New Delhi, India
| occupation = Actress • Filmmaker
| title = [[Femina Miss India]] Earth 2005
}}

'''Niharika Singh''' (born 31 August, 1982) is a film actress, producer and a former Miss India. She won the title of [[Miss Earth India]] in 2005 and made her acting debut with the film ''[[Miss Lovely]]'' which competed in ''[[Un Certain Regard]]'' at the [[2012 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beautypageants.indiatimes.com/miss-india/Former-Miss-India-Earth-Niharika-Singh-as-Miss-Lovely/eventshow/28790635.cms|title=Former Miss India Earth Niharika Singh as 'Miss Lovely' - BeautyPageants|website=Femina Miss India}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born on 31 August, 1982 in [[New Delhi]] to Lalita and Ajit Kumar Singh, Niharika spent her childhood in various north Indian towns and hill stations, moving homes and schools every few years. Her father worked for [[Uttar Pradesh Tourism]] and after the state was divided, [[Uttarakhand]] Tourism Development Board, Government of India. Her mother studied fashion designing and ran a design institute in [[New Delhi]]. She is the eldest of two sisters. Her maternal family from [[Rajasthan]] ([[Regar]] caste) and paternal family from [[Uttar Pradesh]] ([[Jatav]] caste) were both influenced by [[Arya Samaj]] but Niharika does not practice any religion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://feminisminindia.com/2019/08/09/conversation-niharika-singh-caste-representation-feminism-bollywood/|title=In Conversation With Niharika Singh: Caste, Representation And Feminism In Bollywood|first=Guest|last=Writer|date=8 August 2019|website=Feminism In India}}</ref>

Singh was an avid reader growing up and showed a keen interest in creative writing and performing arts. She recalls her first performance as [[Bharat Mata]] at the age of 4 in her primary school in [[Haridwar]] after which she regularly attended children theatre workshops conducted by [[Sahitya Kala Parishad]] and performed in children plays at Kamani auditorium in [[New Delhi]]. She was sent to an all girls boarding school, All Saints' College, in [[Nainital]] where her interests in co-curricular activities were encouraged. Singh started working as a model in 1999 when she first walked the ramp for a design institute in [[Dehradun]]. She went on to pursue a degree in B.Com (Hons) at ''Shri Ram College of Commerce'' in [[New Delhi]] and continued taking modelling assignments alongside to earn a little income. Niharika featured in several print campaigns, fashion magazines, music videos and decided to drop out of college and move to [[Mumbai]] to pursue a full time career in the entertainment business after her younger sister got admission in [[St Xaviers College]] in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Multifaceted Life of Niharika Singh |url=https://theknowculture.com/2019/05/22/the-multifaceted-life-of-niharika-singh/ |access-date=2021-04-14 |website=theknowculture.com}}</ref>

==Career==
Singh participated in [[Femina Miss India]] in 2005 and won the title of [[Miss Earth India]] along with subtitles for ''Miss Photogenic'' and ''Miss Beautiful Hair'' after which she went on to represent India at [[Miss Earth 2005]] held in the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bombaytimes.com/miss-india-winners-2012-1964/2010-2001/niharika-singh/profile/7282983.cms|title=Niharika Singh - Miss India - Bombay Times|website=Bombaytimes}}</ref><ref name="businesswireindia">{{cite web|url=http://businesswireindia.com/news/news-details/ponds-femina-miss-india-2005-winners-are-ponds-femina-miss-india-universe-2005-amrita-thappar-ponds-femina-miss-india-world-2005-sindhura-gadde-ponds-femina-miss-india-earth-2005-niharika-singh/6941|title=Pond's Femina Miss India 2005 Winners are: Pond's Femina Miss India - Universe 2005 Amrita Thappar, Pond's Femina Miss India - World 2005 Sindhura Gadde, Pond's Femina Miss India - Earth 2005 Niharika Singh|website=businesswireindia.com|access-date=2021-04-15}}</ref><ref>http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Miss_India_winners:_2005</ref> Niharika appeared in several print advertisements and television commercials for various brands across the country and hosted a reality TV series ''Banungi Main Miss India'' with the [[Femina Miss India]] contestants of 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/feb/feb238.htm|title=Zoom's channel driver 'Pond's Banungi Main Miss India' premieres 22 February|date=18 February 2006|website=Indian Television Dot Com}}</ref> Singh featured in [[Times of India]]'s 2005 list of ''Most Desirable Women'' and continued her modelling career until she began getting offers to act in [[Bollywood]] films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-am-not-hot-and-sexy/story-038K494UXr8aGaj4JXWzYJ.html|title='I am not hot and sexy'|date=18 January 2006|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lucknow-times/i-am-sweet-not-sexy/articleshow/1344338.cms|title='I am sweet, not sexy' | undefined News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwrcsi|title=Niharika Singh is the most desirable woman no. 40.mp4 - video Dailymotion|website=Dailymotion}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/beauty-queens-who-turned-bollywood-actresses-121757.html|title=Beauty Queens Who Turned To Bollywood|date=9 January 2014|website=IndiaTimes}}</ref>

Niharika's film career began in 2006 when she signed a 10-film contract with [[Bollywood]] director [[Raj Kanwar]] under his banner ''Inderjit Films''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/some-faces-bound-to-go-places-in-bollywood_429543.html|title=Some faces bound to go places in Bollywood|date=11 March 2008|website=Zee News}}</ref><ref>https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/new-face-of-bollywood-1.151101</ref><ref>https://forum.xcitefun.net/too-many-talented-new-faces-a-good-year-for-bollywood-so-far-t8913.html</ref> The films were never made and she remained locked in the contract until singer [[Himesh Reshammiya]] approached her to play the role of a haughty heiress opposite him in ''[[A New Love Ishtory]]'' to be produced by [[T-Series (company)]] and directed by [[John Matthew Matthan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aspisdrift.com/2008/11/why-niharika-singh-is-here-to-stay.html|title=Why Niharika Singh is here to stay - An Exclusive Drift Interview}}</ref><ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/debutante-niharika-finds-new-love-post-break-up/story-aIzKepRjy9JFX9ndQEVIXM.html</ref> Niharika attended an acting course with [[Barry John (theatre director)]] before filming [[A New Love Ishtory]]. Due to internal differences during the making of the film, producer [[Bhushan Kumar]] pulled the finance, dubbed the unfinished version and sold the film directly to a television channel without the knowledge of the cast and crew.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/niharika-singh-opens-up-about-her-experiences/articleshow/66558463.cms|title=Niharika Singh opens up about her experiences - Times of India ►|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Singh started shooting for her second film ''Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh Mudh Mudh Ke'' opposite Reshammiya which was shelved mid-way.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/we-aren-t-cats-and-rats-we-re-girls-niharika/story-sDyxEvs5Hivs31Spgw8uHP.html|title=We aren't cats and rats, we're girls: Niharika|date=7 May 2008|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>https://www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/gupshup/2008/niharika-jennifer-catfight-060508.html</ref><ref>https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-we-aren-t-cats-and-rats-niharika-singh-1163062</ref> She also acted in a [[Kannada]] film ''Private Number'' directed by [[Anand Kumar (director)]] that never found a release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/beauty-belongs-in-cinema-niharika/articleshow/5958093.cms|title=Beauty belongs in cinema: Niharika - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/72436/no-language-restrictions.html|title=No language restrictions!|date=30 May 2010|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/70578/a-party-private-number.html|title=A party for 'Private Number'|date=20 May 2010|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

After a series of shelved and unreleased films, Singh made her debut with [[Ashim Ahluwalia]]'s critically acclaimed first feature ''[[Miss Lovely]]'', set in the criminal depths of Mumbai's C-grade sex-horror film industry.<ref>{{cite web|author=Amrita Madhukalya |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-meet-niharika-singh-bollywood-s-new-miss-lovely-1953473 |title=Meet Niharika Singh, Bollywood's new 'Miss Lovely' |website=Dnaindia.com |date=2014-01-19 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref><ref> name="indiatoday">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20120507-former-miss-india-earth-niharika-singh-in-miss-lovely-758197-2012-04-28|title=Just Her Luck - Eyecatchers News - Former Miss India Earth Niharika Singh gets role in Miss Lovely|website=India Today|date=2012-04-28|author=Prachi Rege|access-date=2021-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/i-shivered-after-reading-the-script-niharika-singh/articleshow/12789831.cms|title=I shivered after reading the script: Niharika Singh - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/meet-niharika-miss-lovely-singh-122139.html</ref> The film competed in ''[[Un Certain Regard]]'' at the [[2012 Cannes Film Festival]] and won 2 awards at the [[61st National Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/cannes-2012/former-miss-india-niharika-singh-makes-it-big-on-the-cannes-red-carpet/|title=Former Miss India Niharika Singh makes it big on the Cannes red carpet - Bollywoodlife.com|date=24 May 2012|website=www.bollywoodlife.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/miss-lovely-at-cannes-nawazuddin-niharika-steal-the-show-839847.html|title='Miss Lovely ' at Cannes: Nawazuddin, Niharika steal the show|date=26 May 2012|website=News18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tellychakkar.com/movie/movie-news/niharika-miss-lovely-singh-cloud-nine-after-cannes-visit|title=Niharika "Miss Lovely" Singh is on cloud nine after Cannes visit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-nawazuddin-siddiqui/20120606.htm|title='There were more posters of Niharika than Ash in Cannes'|website=Rediff}}</ref> Singh played a mysterious ingénue with a shadowy past, for which she earned rave reviews for her performance and a nomination for the most promising newcomer at the 21st Screen Awards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/playing-miss-lovely/article5590120.ece|title=Playing Miss Lovely|first=Harishikaa|last=Udasi|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 January 2014|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highheelconfidential.com/tag/niharika-singh/|title=Niharika Singh Archives}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140114/entertainment-bollywood/article/isn%E2%80%99t-she-lovely|title=Isn't she lovely?|first=natasha|last=coutinho|date=14 January 2014|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.co.in/ever-so-lovely|title=Ever So Lovely|date=17 May 2018|website=Box Office India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stars.topnews.in/2111613-its-brave-make-film-miss-lovely-niharika-singh|title=It's brave to make a film like 'Miss Lovely': Niharika Singh |website=stars.topnews.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/arts/26iht-dupont26.html|title=Mumbai in the Bad Old Days|first=Joan|last=Dupont|newspaper=The New York Times|date=25 May 2012}}</ref>

Niharika rediscovered cinema after her experience with Cannes and other international festivals and joined a course at the [[Film and Television Institute of India]] in 2013 to expand her understanding of the medium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beautypageants.indiatimes.com/miss-india/niharika-singh-talks-about-her-cannes-journey/articleshow/13841405.cms|title=Niharika Singh talks about her Cannes Journey - Beauty Pageants - Indiatimes|website=Femina Miss India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/miss-lovely-would-come-as-a-shock-niharika-singh/|title="Miss Lovely would come as a shock" – Niharika Singh : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|date=17 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/meet-niharika-miss-lovely-singh-122139.html|title = Meet Niharika 'Miss Lovely' Singh|date = 13 January 2014}}</ref> During the media interactions for Miss Lovely, Niharika said in an interview ''"My tryst with typical Bollywood-style masala films was not great. I didn’t feel any growth as an actor there. Instead, I felt frustrated in that phase. So, I wouldn’t like to go back to feeling that way again."''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2014/vivacity/unemployed-by-choice.html|title=Unemployed by choice|first=The|last=Pioneer|website=The Pioneer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/not-lovely-what-niharika-dislikes-about-bollywood|title=Not lovely: What Niharika dislikes about bollywood!|website=Free Press Journal}}</ref><ref>https://www.tellychakkar.com/movie/movie-news/even-the-most-successful-actors-of-industry-are-struggling-each-day-niharika-singh</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/miss-lovely-backstory/cid/220258|title = Miss lovely backstory}}</ref> She also mentioned she is attempting to write a memoir.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santabanta.com/bollywood/77554/i-am-a-mad-nomad-meeting-miss-lovely-niharika-singh/|title=I Am A Mad Nomad: Meeting 'Miss Lovely' Niharika Singh|website=www.santabanta.com}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/student-of-cinema/ |title=Student of cinema |publisher=The Indian Express |date=2014-01-02 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140114/jsp/t2/story_17783916.jsp#.VOl8H4GXeK3 |title=Meet miss lovely |website=Telegraphindia.com |date=2014-01-14 |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/miss-lovely-behind-the-scenes/article5590452.ece|title=Miss Lovely: Behind the scenes|first=Anuj|last=Kumar|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 January 2014|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-pix-nawazuddin-siddiqui-niharika-visit-rediff-office/20140109.htm|title = PIX: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Niharika visit the Rediff office}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/why-was-nawazuddin-siddiqui-scared-to-kiss-his-miss-lovely-co-star-304874/|title = Why was Nawazuddin Siddiqui scared to kiss his Miss Lovely co-star?|date = 6 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/i-didn-t-even-know-nawaz-says-miss-lovely-niharika/story-IXToOYC8H6SWIWuGBJv36K.html|title=I didn't even know Nawaz says Miss Lovely Niharika|date=6 January 2014|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

Singh took a break from public life and made appearances in a few independent/art house film projects over the next decade. She was seen in [[Buddhadeb Dasgupta]]'s hindi feature ''[[Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa]]'' that premiered at [[BFI London Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/meet-miss-lovely/cid/1555947|title=Meet miss lovely|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> [[Bappaditya Bandopadhyay]]'s multi-lingual drama ''[[Sohra Bridge]]'', which screened at the 46th [[International Film Festival of India]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/115026115-bappaditya-bandopadhyays-sohra-bridge-2016-last-bow-brilliant-film-maker|title=Bappaditya Bandopadhyay's Sohra Bridge (2016): the last bow of a brilliant film-maker|website=WBRi Washington Bangla Radio USA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31812&articlexml=SILVER-LINING-FOR-SOHRA-BRIDGE-17022016106005|title=The Times Group|website=epaperbeta.timesofindia.com}}</ref> Nikhil Pherwani's directorial debut ''[[Ahaan]]'', the first Hindi language film to cast an actor with down syndrome in the lead and [[Ashim Ahluwalia]]'s Indian segment "''Palace of horrors''" in the feature length horror anthology ''[[The Field Guide to Evil]]'' which had its world premiere at [[South by Southwest]]. She actively chose to keep a low profile in the media and refused to participate in promotional activities for any film during this period.

Niharika was selected for [[Berlinale Talents]] in 2016 where she was introduced to [[Alexander Technique]] while attending a workshop with [[Jean-Louis Rodrigue]] and [[Kristof Konrad]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/hi/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%9F/a-19053601|title=बर्लिनाले में दिखा भारत की 'मिस लवली' का टैलेंट | DW | 17.02.2016 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}</ref><ref>https://www.india.com/education/10-indian-artistes-chosen-for-berlinale-talents-1572362/</ref>

In 2019, Singh joined ''Future East Film'' as one of the directors of the company where she introduced a ''Diversity Film Training'' program for students from marginalised backgrounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2019/nov/13/need-perspective-of-unheard-voices-film-company-launches-paid-internship-for-dalit-students-9044.html|title=Need perspective of unheard voices: Film company launches paid internship for Dalit students|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/diversity-film-training-programme-launched-for-the-dalit-bahujan-and-adivasi-community/article30025822.ece|title=Diversity film training programme launched for the Dalit Bahujan and Adivasi community|first=Namrata|last=Joshi|newspaper=The Hindu|date=20 November 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> She co-founded ''Future East Digital'' with filmmaker Ashim Ahluwalia and visual artist Amit Basak in 2020.

==In media==
Singh was given a rousing welcome and declared the state guest in [[Uttarakhand]] by Chief Minister [[Narayan Dutt Tiwari]] after she was crowned [[Miss Earth India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/niharika-arrives-to-rousing-welcome_214846.html|title=Niharika arrives to rousing welcome|date=2 May 2005|website=Zee News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/photos/single/7258|title=Outlook India Photo Gallery|website=[[Outlookindia]]}}</ref> She was appointed the goodwill ambassador for [[Rotary Blood Bank]] in 2005 at the behest of the Governor of Uttarakhand [[Sudarshan Agarwal]] and a garden was named after her in [[Mussoorie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2005/05/13/stories/2005051303260200.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150222060458/http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2005/05/13/stories/2005051303260200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-02-22 |title=Life Delhi / Talk Of The Town : All for a good cause |date=2005-05-13 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2016-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30205371.ece|title=For a law on blood banks |first=PURNIMA S. |last=TRIPATHI |website=Frontline}}</ref>

In 2007, a model from Benaras shot to fame by walking down the ramp impersonating Niharika Singh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/videos/india/miss-india-fake-267356.html|title=Ms India: Wannabe model fakes it|website=News18}}</ref>

Niharika issued a public statement in 2017 when her name was used to garner publicity to sell actor [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]]'s memoir ''An Ordinary Life'' written by ''Rituparna Chatterjee'' and published by [[Penguin Random House]] with a fabricated account of their relationship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/movies/nawazuddin-disrespecting-a-woman-to-sell-his-book-says-niharika-singh-594796|title=Nawazuddin DISRESPECTING a woman to sell his book, says Niharika Singh|date=24 October 2017|website=ABP Live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inuth.com/entertainment/bollywood/nawazuddin-siddiquis-book-written-without-knowledge-or-consent-niharika-singh-responds/|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui's book written without knowledge or consent: Niharika Singh responds|date=24 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/niharika-singh-on-alleged-affair-with-nawazuddin-siddiqui-he-wants-to-sell-his-book-he-is-manipulating-a-fleeting-relationship-4904768/|title=Niharika Singh on alleged affair with Nawazuddin Siddiqui: He wants to sell his book, he is manipulating a fleeting relationship|date=24 October 2017}}</ref> After a severe backlash and a defamation case by another actress [[Sunita Rajwar]], Nawazuddin Siddiqui issued an apology and withdrew the book within a fortnight after its release.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-lying-says-ex-sunita-rajwar-after-he-sends-legal-notice-1789895 |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui Is Lying, Says Ex Sunita Rajwar After He Sends Legal Notice|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/nawazuddin-siddiqui-niharika-singh-sunita-affair-1071177-2017-10-28 |date=2017-10-28 |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui's book is extraordinary lies: After Niharika Singh, his first girlfriend slams him |website=India Today}}</ref> Veteran actress [[Asha Parekh]] showed her displeasure and said, "What Nawazuddin did to the ladies was not in good taste."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/041117/asha-parekh-slams-nawaz-for-tell-all-biography.html|title=Asha Parekh slams Nawaz for his tell-all biography |first=subhash k|last=jha|date=4 November 2017|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.womensweb.in/2018/11/niharika-singhs-metoo-story-makes-us-think-of-the-precondition-to-consenting/ |title=Niharika Singh's #MeToo Story Makes Us Think Of The Precondition To Consenting |first=Sushumna |last=Kannan |date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.inuth.com/entertainment/bollywood/locker-room-banter-gift-wrapped-in-sordid-quotes-the-issue-with-nawazuddin-siddiquis-version-of-his-affairs/|title=Locker room banter gift-wrapped in sordid quotes: The issue with Nawazuddin Siddiqui's version of his affairs|date=26 October 2017}}</ref> In a later interview, Siddiqui stated that "It was the biggest mistake of my life."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/weblite/videos/celeb-interviews/nawazuddin-siddiqui-an-ordinary-life-book-was-the-biggest-mistake-of-my-life-niharika-singh-2/ |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/nawazuddin-siddiqui-withdraws-biography-apologises-for-hurting-sentiments-1768973|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui Withdraws Biography. Apologises For 'Hurting Sentiments'|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/why-nawazuddin-siddiqui-decided-to-withdrew-his-biography-titled-an-ordinary-life-a-memoir-1769189|title=Why Nawazuddin Siddiqui Decided To Withdraw His Biography Titled An Ordinary Life: A Memoir|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mynation.com/entertainment/fans-bots-trolls-nawazuddin-siddiqui-tweet-against-niharika-singh-pi14pl|title=Is Nawazuddin Siddiqui relying on organised social media trolling against Niharika Singh? Here are clues|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/nawazuddin-siddiqui-withdrew-memoir-damage-niharika-singh-has-already-been-done-fume-twitterati-747648 |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui withdrew memoir but damage to Niharika Singh has already been done, fume Twitterati |first=Suparno |last=Sarkar |date=31 October 2017|website=www.ibtimes.co.in}}</ref>

In November 2018, Singh wrote an essay addressing the [[Me Too movement (India)|Me Too movement]] as a [[dalit]] woman in the entertainment business which was posted by journalist Sandhya Menon on [[Twitter]].<ref>https://www.blanknoise.org/caste-blog/niharikasingh</ref> The piece went viral and was immediately picked up by all leading media publications and news channels in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/me-too-why-many-women-don-t-speak-out-about-sexual-abuse-immediately-91747|title=Me Too: Why many women don't speak out about sexual abuse 'immediately'|date=17 November 2018|website=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/niharika-singh-shares-her-metoo-account-neo-liberal-savarna-feminism-isnt-going-to-liberate-anyone-5528681.html|title=Niharika Singh shares her #MeToo account: Neo-liberal, savarna feminism isn't going to liberate anyone- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=10 November 2018 |website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tattooed-my-name-on-his-chest-niharika-singh-remembers-abusive-husband-of-flight-attendant-who-committed-suicide-2684337|title=Tattooed my name on his chest: Niharika Singh remembers 'abusive' husband of flight attendant who committed suicide|date=10 November 2018|website=DNA India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/niharika-singh-nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-a-sexually-repressed-man-with-toxic-male-entitlement-1385693-2018-11-10|title=Niharika Singh: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a sexually repressed man with toxic male entitlement|date=10 November 2018|publisher=India Today}}</ref><ref>https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-former-miss-india-niharika-singh-slams-nandita-das-and-kavita-krishna-for-enabling-sexual-predators-2684339</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.storypick.com/niharika-singh-me-too/|title=Former Miss India Niharika Singh Pens Powerful Post On #MeToo, Names Nawazuddin Siddiqui|date=10 November 2018|website=Storypick}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/nikarika-singh-on-me-too-nawazuddin-siddiqui-oppression-of-dalit-women |title=Niharika Singh Calls Nawazuddin a 'Sexually Repressed Indian Man'|date=10 November 2018|website=TheQuint}}</ref>

Niharika has been invited as a guest and speaker on panels in [[Harvard University]], [[Columbia University]], [[The New School]] and [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/film/dalit-film-festival-discusses-the-role-of-caste-in-setting-cultural-sensibilities|title=Dalit Film Festival Discusses the Role of Caste in Setting Cultural Sensibilities|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/02/27/dalit-film-festival-is-not-just-a-festival-its-a-movement|title='Dalit Film Festival is not just a festival, it's a movement'|website=Newslaundry}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/first-dalit-film-festival-in-us-shortlists-kaala-and-masaan-among-other-films-by-dalit-filmmakers-2034313.html|title=First Dalit Film Festival in US Shortlists Kaala and Masaan Among Other Films by Dalit Filmmakers|website=News18}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Role !! Notes !! Refs
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Miss Lovely]]'' || Pinky/Sonika/Pooja || <small>Nominated - Most Promising Newcomer - Screen Awards</small> || <ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/movie-review-miss-lovely-will-make-you-uncomfortable/story-qwzAnAIs10KoyhcuzmSO9K.html|-</ref><ref>https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/miss-lovely-behind-the-scenes/article5590452.ece</ref>
|-
| 2013 || ''[[A New Love Ishtory]]'' || Kamya Dhanraj || || <ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/miss-india-niharika-singh-to-debut-opposite-himesh-reshammiya/story-66SvLi0r7XpJzEYSknnS5L.html</ref><ref>https://www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/features/2007/himesh-multiple-projects-301007.html</ref>
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa]]'' || Ayesha || || <ref>https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/anwar-ka-ajab-kissa-review-nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-a-breather-in-this-lyrical-film-about-love-longing-syt-qk3efm</ref><ref>https://www.letsott.com/anwar-ka-ajab-kissa-review</ref>
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Sohra Bridge]]'' || Ria || || <ref>https://upperstall.com/film/sohra-bridge/</ref><ref>https://www.navhindtimes.in/2015/11/25/magazines/buzz/sohra-bridge-memories-of-another-day/</ref>
|-
| 2018 || ''[[The Field Guide to Evil]]'' || Sadhavi || Segment - Palace of Horrors || <ref>https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-guide-to-hell/article23033226.ece</ref><ref>https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/ashim-ahluwalia-short-film-palace-of-horrors-5111185/</ref>
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Ahaan]]'' || Anu || || <ref>https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/newsdetail/index/16/20420/ahaan---a-film-full-of-love</ref><ref>https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/ahaan-review-lead-actor-abuli-mamaji-who-has-down-syndrome-lends-the-film-authenticity-2442191</ref>
|}

==Awards and nominations==
*IBNLive Movie Awards 2015 - Best Female Debut - Won<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/ibnlive-movie-awards-niharika-singh-beats-kriti-sanon-to-win-the-best-female-debut-award-for-miss-lovely-983025.html|title=IBNLive Movie Awards: Niharika Singh beats Kriti Sanon to win the Best Female Debut Award for 'Miss Lovely'|date=20 April 2015|website=www.news18.com}}</ref>
*21st Annual Life OK Screen Awards - Most Promising Newcomer Female - Nominated<ref>https://indianexpress.com/photos/screen-awards-gallery/screen-awards-2015-nominations-most-promising-newcomer-female/</ref><ref>https://www.indicine.com/movies/bollywood/screen-awards-2015-nominations/</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|3864699}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|niharika-singh}}

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{{Succession box
| before= Jyoti Brahmin
| title= [[Miss Earth India]]
| years= 2005
| after= [[Amruta Patki]]
}}
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{{Miss Earth 2005 delegates}}
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{{Commons category-inline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Niharika}}
[[Category:Femina Miss India winners]]
[[Category:Female models from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Miss Earth 2005 contestants]]
[[Category:Miss Earth India delegates]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Dehradun]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]

Niharika Singh - Revision history

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