In a country where a woman’s worth is often measured by her marital status, choosing to walk alone is not for the timid. Bollywood actress Nimrat Kaur, best known for her role in Airlift, recently opened up about her personal struggles with societal judgment. Though content in her singlehood, she once endured whispers, mockery, and intrusive questions about why she hadn’t “settled down.” It wasn’t until her breakthrough performance in the 2013 cinematic gem The Lunchbox that the judgment quieted.
Speaking in a heartfelt interview with News18 Showsha, Nimrat shared, “I’ve faced relentless questions about marriage—every woman does. Until The Lunchbox, people around me didn’t validate me or my path. It was like I hadn’t earned their respect yet.” That validation, she explained, seemed to only arrive when she starred alongside the legendary Irrfan Khan. “They only took me seriously because Irrfan was in it,” she said candidly. “Before that, all I heard was that I should think about marriage. That film changed their perception—it made them see what I could do.”
Understanding But Not Excusing the Pressure
Despite the societal narrowness, Nimrat doesn’t carry bitterness. “I know they’re victims of how they've been raised,” she reflected with grace. “They can’t help but impose their beliefs—they think they’re being helpful. So I don’t hold it against them.” Yet, she’s not shy to question the foundation of these beliefs. “Why is marriage the only form of stability for a woman?” she asked, probing deep into traditional mindsets.
When she first moved to Mumbai before 2005 to pursue acting, people around her assumed she’d eventually return home, marry, and conform. “If my career hit even the smallest bump—if the money wasn’t flowing or if I wasn’t ‘where I should be’—they’d immediately suggest marriage. As if my life was incomplete without it!” she said, her voice firm with resolve.
Choosing Real Freedom Over Pretend Security
Nimrat doesn’t feel the need to rush into a conventional relationship just for appearances. In fact, she finds that many such unions are hollow. “What scares me more than being single is being stuck in a fake marriage,” she said plainly. “People who didn’t make brave choices in their own lives often push others into conformity. They see someone coloring outside the lines and try to pull them back in. But I refuse to be one of them.”
Words of Wisdom for the Aspiring and the Misunderstood
When asked about the wisdom she’s gained over the years, Nimrat emphasized the importance of one’s circle. “Surround yourself with people who lift you up,” she advised. “Let the loudest voices around you be encouraging and honest. Not always sweet—but true.” She warned against playing the victim. “You need friends who’ll tell you when you’re slipping into self-pity. Not every struggle is an excuse.”
She especially urged women to let go of excuses and distractions. “Don’t do things despite your circumstances—do them because you believe in yourself. Forget the ‘in spite ofs.’ Keep your eyes on your vision. Everything else is just noise.”
On Screen and Beyond
Nimrat Kaur has carved out a unique space in Indian cinema, with powerful roles in The Lunchbox, Airlift, Dasvi, and Sajni Shinde Ka Viral Video. She recently starred in Sky Force, a patriotic drama inspired by India’s first airstrike in 1965, alongside Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan. She will next appear in the legal thriller Section 84, sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Banerjee. The release date is yet to be confirmed.
Speaking in a heartfelt interview with News18 Showsha, Nimrat shared, “I’ve faced relentless questions about marriage—every woman does. Until The Lunchbox, people around me didn’t validate me or my path. It was like I hadn’t earned their respect yet.” That validation, she explained, seemed to only arrive when she starred alongside the legendary Irrfan Khan. “They only took me seriously because Irrfan was in it,” she said candidly. “Before that, all I heard was that I should think about marriage. That film changed their perception—it made them see what I could do.”
Understanding But Not Excusing the Pressure
Despite the societal narrowness, Nimrat doesn’t carry bitterness. “I know they’re victims of how they've been raised,” she reflected with grace. “They can’t help but impose their beliefs—they think they’re being helpful. So I don’t hold it against them.” Yet, she’s not shy to question the foundation of these beliefs. “Why is marriage the only form of stability for a woman?” she asked, probing deep into traditional mindsets.
When she first moved to Mumbai before 2005 to pursue acting, people around her assumed she’d eventually return home, marry, and conform. “If my career hit even the smallest bump—if the money wasn’t flowing or if I wasn’t ‘where I should be’—they’d immediately suggest marriage. As if my life was incomplete without it!” she said, her voice firm with resolve.
Choosing Real Freedom Over Pretend Security
Nimrat doesn’t feel the need to rush into a conventional relationship just for appearances. In fact, she finds that many such unions are hollow. “What scares me more than being single is being stuck in a fake marriage,” she said plainly. “People who didn’t make brave choices in their own lives often push others into conformity. They see someone coloring outside the lines and try to pull them back in. But I refuse to be one of them.”
Words of Wisdom for the Aspiring and the Misunderstood
When asked about the wisdom she’s gained over the years, Nimrat emphasized the importance of one’s circle. “Surround yourself with people who lift you up,” she advised. “Let the loudest voices around you be encouraging and honest. Not always sweet—but true.” She warned against playing the victim. “You need friends who’ll tell you when you’re slipping into self-pity. Not every struggle is an excuse.”
She especially urged women to let go of excuses and distractions. “Don’t do things despite your circumstances—do them because you believe in yourself. Forget the ‘in spite ofs.’ Keep your eyes on your vision. Everything else is just noise.”
On Screen and Beyond
Nimrat Kaur has carved out a unique space in Indian cinema, with powerful roles in The Lunchbox, Airlift, Dasvi, and Sajni Shinde Ka Viral Video. She recently starred in Sky Force, a patriotic drama inspired by India’s first airstrike in 1965, alongside Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan. She will next appear in the legal thriller Section 84, sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Banerjee. The release date is yet to be confirmed.
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