Exclusive - Khatron Ke Khiladi 11's Nikki Tamboli: Leaving my emotional parents behind right after my brother’s demise for the show has been the biggest challenge for me

Lively and chirpy Nikki Tamboli suffered a huge loss a couple of months ago when her younger brother Jatin passed away due to COVID-19 complications just two days before the actress was supposed to fly to Cape Town to participate in Khatron Ke Khiladi 11.

The actress with a brave heart went ahead to do the show as it was her brother's wish to see her on the stunt-based reality show. Recently, in an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV, Nikki opened up about the challenging phase of her life and shared that leaving her emotional parents behind after her brother's sudden demise has been most difficult.

"I came to Cape Town leaving my emotional parents behind after my brother’s death and it has been the biggest challenge for me. To be honest, I respect the show a lot but because whatever I went through recently I feel main bahut weak pad rahi hoon... people have seen in Bigg Boss and they know I am very headstrong but in this show I have had many weak moments because of the family issues. While I was doing Bigg Boss, everything was fine with my family so I was very focused on the show, but this time things have been very difficult. My brother passed away on May 4th and on May 6th, I came to Cape Town. Obviously it was not possible for me to be all happy and fine within two days and be strong at the same time. It is not easy for me to get over the pain, the loss, so easily. People are motivating and encouraging me to get back to normal but it will take time for me to overcome this loss. I know a lot of people have many expectations from me but let’s see what happens in the show," she said. (Pic: Instagram)

During the chat, Nikki also spoke about how she constantly feels the presence of her brother around her, "Yes my brother is with me always. I always feel he’s sitting in front of me and watching me (shows her phone's wallpaper which has his picture). My mind has still not accepted that he has left us and gone," shared the actress. (Pic: Instagram)

When asked if she ever thought of backing out of the KKK 11 after her brother's sudden demise, she said, "Actually, I was very focused that I wanted to do the show and I was never in two minds as to whether I want to quit the show or continue after my brother’s demise. I was very clear that I want to do the show and when I reached there I realised that I am mentally not the same anymore. Now, let’s see once the show goes on-air you will find out." (Pic: Instagram)

Nikki reveals that her friend and confidant from Bigg Boss 14, Rubina Dilaik has constantly checked on her and been with her in the tough journey, "Of course, Rubina has always been in touch and as I always say that she is my sister. She has always taken care of me like one. She keeps an eye on me that everything is fine with me. We are constantly in touch with each other." (Pic: Instagram)

Talking about her Khatron Ke Khiladi journey, Nikki shared that she is having an amazing time shooting for the show and have found friends for life in Abhinav Shukla, Arjun Bijalni, Sana Makbul and Aastha Gill, "I am enjoying this phase of Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, especially the entire month that I spent with the con-contestants. It is the most precious month and moment of my life. The memories I have made here are amazing and I consider it more special than Bigg Boss 14. I have developed a strong friendship with Arjun Bijalni, Sana Makbul, Aastha Gill. They have become my thick friends. They are now my family to me, I am also getting along very well with Vishal. He is an outstanding person. He inspires me a lot and I am just always in awe of him for how he manages to pull off certain things. He is amazing, his will power is superb and he has got guts to do things. Shweta Tiwari, Divyanka Tripathi, Anushka Sen, Varun Sood, Sourabh all are very nice people. But the people who are really close to my heart are Arjun, Sana, Aastha and Abhinav Shula," said Nikki. (Pic: Instagram)

Nikki, who developed a strong bond with Abhinav Shukla during BB 14 had a blast with him on Khatron Ke Khiladi 14, "I have had so much fun with Abhinav in the show, I can’t put it in words. I needed these people around me after whatever was happening with me. I got into a depressed phase after I lost my brother. But these people gave me a lot of strength," said Nikki. (Pic: Instagram)