First Day-First Shot! Being on a film set for the first time was like ‘Alice in Wonderland’: Niilam Paanchal

Niilam Paanchal

, who rose to fame after winning the National Award for the film

'Hellaro'

, is a very well known face in the television industry. She has been garnering a lot of appreciation from the audience and critics alike. She was also seen in Sanjay Gupta's film 'Kaabil' starring Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam. Niilam made her debut with the Gujarati film 'Sneh Na Sagpan' in 2007.


The actress recently spoke exclusively with ETimes and revealed about her journey in the industry. On asking about her acting career's first day, she said, "I still remember my first day on the sets of my first Bollywood film 'Pyaar Humein Kis Mod Pe Le Aaya'. Though the film never hit the screens it helped me to mold my career. It was in 2003 when I was in college, I got offered for my first film. My mother never wanted me to be an actress. But I saw an advertisement in the newspaper of famous Gujarati singer Jaykar Bhojak who was producing a Hindi film and was searching for a new face.”

Recollecting her audition, the actress added, "I was not even having enough money to reach the audition location. I was carrying a mere Rs.11 in my pocket and had no courage to borrow some money from my mother. Also, I had to borrow clothes from my friend that suited the auditions. Though I got selected in the audition, convincing my mother was a Hercules task. But I am very thankful to Jaykar sir that he convinced my mother."

Going down to memory lane, Niilam recalls her first day on the film set, she shared, "Being on a film set for the first time was like ‘Alice in Wonderland’. For the first time, I had professionally applied makeup and I realized it enhances your attitude and boosts your confidence. I kept looking in the mirror randomly. Though I had no dialogues that day. I eagerly waited for my shot to happen. That film never got released but I got destined to meet photographer Bhavesh Shukla, and Fashion Choreographer Keyur Desai on the sets, who further groomed me for my modeling career.

Abhilash Ghoda

was a director of that film who further helped for my acting career."