Draft:Poorna

NIDHI HEGDE

Occupation: Indian film actress

Industry: Primarily Kannada cinema

Known for: Dollu (2022), Shakhahaari (2024), 777 Charlie, Saptha Sagaradaache Ello – Side A, Shivaji Surathkal 2

Early Life and Education

Nidhi Hegde was born in Sirsi and brought up in Pune. She completed her undergraduate studies at St. Francis de Sales College, Bengaluru, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Journalism, and English Literature (2013–2016). She later pursued a Diploma in Acting at Annapurna College of Film and Media (2016–2017), where she received formal training in screen acting, film theory, and production techniques.

Career

Short Film Beginnings

Nidhi began her acting career through independent short films, including Naan Devru (2019), Nuttah: The Unborn Heart (2020) paving her way into the feature films.

Breakthrough in Feature Films

She first appeared in Katha Sangama (2019) by Rishab Shetty Productions in a brief role in the last instalment of the anthology in Lachchavva.

Her breakout role came in Dollu (2022), where she played Priya. The film won an award at the 68th National Film Awards: Best Feature Film – Kannada. Nidhi’s performance was highlighted for its grounded and sincere portrayal.

Diverse Roles and Rising Profile

Her performance in Neeli Hakki (2021), where she played a struggling mother, was praised for its restraint and authenticity, enhanced by its sync-sound approach and minimalistic storytelling.

Between 2022 and 2023, she appeared in a range of projects including 777 Charlie, Saptha Sagaradaache Ello – Side A, and Shivaji Surathkal 2, balancing both mainstream and art-house sensibilities.

Lead Role in Thriller

In Shakhahaari (2024), a psychological thriller, Nidhi played the lead role of Saugandhika. The film also featured veteran actors Rangayana Raghu and Gopala Krishna Deshpande and was well received for its writing and performances.

Upcoming and Other Works

She is currently working on Ravana Rajyadalli Navadampathigalu, directed by Ranga, which is in post-production.

She has also featured in several short films and music videos such as Sahane Torede (2021), Grachara (2023), Suruli (2025) etc as the lead. She recently featured in web-based project, a romantic micro-series It’s Not Working Out, as the lead, which explores modern relationships through a grounded and slice-of-life lens.

Recognition and Awards

• Featured in Dollu, recipient of the National Award for Best Feature Film – Kannada (2022)

• Nominated for SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut – Kannada for Dollu

Artistic Approach

Nidhi has expressed her preference for emotionally complex, naturalistic roles that avoid typecasting. She often chooses character-driven narratives and stories rooted in realism. Her work in Neeli Hakki exemplifies her commitment to performances grounded in everyday emotion and cultural nuance.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Format	Notes
2025	Suruli	Anu	Short Film	–
2025	It’s not working out	Isha	Micro-series	Lead Role
2024	Shakhahaari	Saugandhika	Feature Film	Lead role
2023	Sukhibhava	Krishnaveni	Feature Film	Lead role
2023	Saptha Sagaradaache Ello – Side A	–	Feature Film	Supporting role
2023	Shivaji Surathkal 2	Lakshmi	Feature Film	–
2022	777 Charlie	Pragathi	Feature Film	–
2022	Dollu	Priya	Feature Film	Lead role
2021	Neeli Hakki	Ganapi	Feature Film	Lead role
2020	Nuttah: The Unborn Heart	Mother/Wife	Short Film	Lead role
2019	Katha Sangama	–	Anthology Film	Segment performance
2019	Naan Devru	Gowri	Short Film	Lead role
TBA	Ravana Rajyadalli Navadampathigalu	–	Feature Film	Post-production

References

• LinkedIn – Nidhi Hegde
• IMDb – Nidhi Hegde
• The Times of India – The thrill of being an actor lies in experimenting
• The Times of India – Recognition doesn’t guarantee offers
• SIIMA Awards – Best Female Debut (Kannada)
• The Times of India – Talks about her top 5 favourite actors