Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Niki Walia recalls losing Shefali Shah's role days before shooting
An actress named Niki Walia was chosen to act in a big movie called Dil Dhadakne Do.
She was happy, and the director, Zoya Akhtar, flew her all the way from the United Kingdom to work on the film.
Niki read scenes with the team, and they seemed satisfied with her work.
The movie makers even took her passport and booked her dates.
Niki was getting ready to go on a long cruise for two or three months.
But just days before filming was to begin, she was told the part was being taken away.
Zoya Akhtar said sorry and explained it was an "internal decision" of the makers.
Another actress, Shefali Shah, ended up playing the role.
Niki was disappointed and admitted she wishes she could have done the part.
Still, she said she believes that whatever is meant to happen will eventually happen.
Niki Walia said she was initially offered the role that Shefali Shah eventually played in Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do.
Zoya Akhtar flew Niki from the UK for the project, and the team completed scene readings, took her passport, and booked her dates.
Days before she was scheduled to leave India, Niki was told she would not be proceeding due to an 'internal decision'.
Zoya Akhtar apologised to Niki Walia over the decision.
Niki said she regrets not playing the role, but believes it may have been a creative decision, possibly because her personality came across as stronger.
- Who
- Actress Niki Walia, director Zoya Akhtar, and actress Shefali Shah, who ultimately played the role.
- What
- Niki Walia revealed she was replaced by Shefali Shah in Dil Dhadakne Do days before shooting, after an internal decision, with Zoya Akhtar apologising to her.
- When
- Days before Niki was scheduled to leave India for the shoot; she recalled the story recently in an interview with Buzzzooka Prime.
- Where
- India, where Niki was preparing to depart; she had been flown in specifically from the UK by Zoya Akhtar.
- Why
- The makers cited an 'internal decision'; Niki speculated it may have been a creative choice, possibly because her personality came across as stronger.
- Film
- Dil Dhadakne Do
- Director
- Zoya Akhtar
- Role initially offered to
- Niki Walia
- Role ultimately played by
- Shefali Shah
- Reason given
- Internal decision
- Timing
- Days before shooting was scheduled to begin
- Interview source
- Buzzzooka Prime
- Other Niki Walia films
- Shandaar, Guilty, Tara vs. Bilal, Double XL, Neeyat