may not have made the cut for Oscars 2025 but aka Phool from the Kiran Rao directorial still has ample reason to celebrate. The actress is on the list of Top 50 Asian Celebrities in the World. She is the youngest celeb, alongside some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry right now. Sharing her feelings exclusively with Smrity Sharma for BollywoodLife, Nitanshi says that it feels, “Surreal and humbling. To be acknowledged globally for my work is a huge honour.”

The actress’ joy knew no bounds when she got the news. Recalling her first reaction, she shares, “I started dancing when I saw my name alongside , , Priyanka Chopra, Dev Patel and others.” The actress, who has made her debut with Laapataa Ladies, feels getting such recognition at such an early stage of her career is both empowering and humbling. “It feels incredible to represent the next generation of talent on such a global platform, it inspires me to work even harder,” she says with pride.

The actress played Phool in Laapataa Ladies and won accolades for her delightful and honest performance. Talking about the character, reveals, “Phool’s story had won my heart as soon as i finished reading the entire script – her transformation journey into a confident, self-reliant woman without losing her innocence, vulnerability and quiet strength made her story impactful on a larger scale.” What inspired her the most was the opportunity to portray a character who’d be so real, or personal and yet carry a charm that connects with audiences everywhere.

The film lost the chance to be at the Oscars 2025 but the buzz that was created when it got chosen as India’s official entry was good enough to put the film on the global map. And Nitanshi sees this positively. “Seeing my first film ever to be deemed fit to be sent for the Oscars is like a dream come true. Personally, it feels like a validation of all the hard work and dedication I have put into my craft. Professionally, it opens doors to international opportunities for me,” she says.

It is a huge milestone indeed and Nitanshi does see it influence her future career choices, “I see it as a reminder to stay grounded while aiming for greater achievements.”

The young star also has advice for all the young aspiring actors out there who look up to her, “Stay true to yourself, work hard, dream big, and always be open to learning,” she signs off.

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