Niharika Singh

Born on August 31st, 1982 in New Delhi, Niharika mostly spent her childhood in various north Indian towns and hill stations, moving homes every few years. Her father worked in the Tourism department for Uttar Pradesh and later Uttarakhand state government, her mother ran a design institute in New Delhi and she is the elder of two sisters. She did her major part of schooling in an all-girls boarding school in Nainital.{{cite web |url=https://feminisminindia.com/2019/08/09/conversation-niharika-singh-caste-representation-feminism-bollywood/ |title=In Conversation with Niharika Singh: Caste, Representation and Feminism in Bollywood |date=8 August 2019}}

Singh started working as a model in 1999 when she first walked the ramp for a design institute in Dehradun. She went on to pursue a degree in B.Com. (Hons) at Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi and continued taking modelling assignments alongside to earn a little income. Niharika featured in several print campaigns, fashion magazines, music videos and decided to drop out of college and move to Mumbai to pursue a full-time career in the entertainment business in 2003.{{Cite web |title=The Multifaceted Life of Niharika Singh |url=https://theknowculture.com/2019/05/22/the-multifaceted-life-of-niharika-singh/ |access-date=14 April 2021 |website=theknowculture.com |date=22 May 2019 |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707102929/https://theknowculture.com/2019/05/22/the-multifaceted-life-of-niharika-singh/ |url-status=dead}}

Singh participated in Femina Miss India in 2005 and finished third, winning the title of Miss Earth India along with subtitles for Miss Photogenic and Miss Beautiful Hair & was sent to represent India at Miss Earth 2005 held in the Philippines.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bombaytimes.com/miss-india-winners-2012-1964/2010-2001/niharika-singh/profile/7282983.cms |title=Niharika Singh – Miss India – Bombay Times |website=Bombaytimes |access-date=14 April 2021 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922050742/https://www.bombaytimes.com/miss-india-winners-2012-1964/2010-2001/niharika-singh/profile/7282983.cms |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://businesswireindia.com/news/news-details/ponds-femina-miss-india-2005-winners-are-ponds-femina-miss-india-universe-2005-amrita-thappar-ponds-femina-miss-india-world-2005-sindhura-gadde-ponds-femina-miss-india-earth-2005-niharika-singh/6941 |title=Pond's Femina Miss India 2005 Winners are: Pond's Femina Miss India – Universe 2005 Amrita Thappar, Pond's Femina Miss India – World 2005 Sindhura Gadde, Pond's Femina Miss India – Earth 2005 Niharika Singh |website=businesswireindia.com |access-date=15 April 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050328/main6.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News|website=www.tribuneindia.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/news/2005/mar/28sld5.htm|title=rediff.com:Ponds Femina Miss India 2005|website=m.rediff.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/30sld04.htm|title=rediff.com: India's newest queens|website=m.rediff.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://timescontent.timesgroup.com/photo/fashion/Niharika-Singh/30203|title=Niharika Singh Fashion Photo Pond's Femina Miss India E...|website=Times Of India}} She appeared in several television commercials and ad campaigns for various brands across the country and hosted a reality TV series Banungi Main Miss India with the Femina Miss India contestants of 2006.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/feb/feb238.htm |title=Zoom's channel driver 'Pond's Banungi Main Miss India' premieres 22 February |date=18 February 2006 |website=Indian Television Dot Com}}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/feb/feb238.htm |title=Zoom's channel driver 'Pond's Banungi Main Miss India' premieres 22 February |date=18 February 2006}} Singh featured in Times of India's 2005 list of Most Desirable Women and continued her modeling career until she started getting offers to act in Bollywood films.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-am-not-hot-and-sexy/story-038K494UXr8aGaj4JXWzYJ.html |title=I am not hot and sexy |date=18 January 2006 |website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lucknow-times/i-am-sweet-not-sexy/articleshow/1344338.cms |title='I am sweet, not sexy' | undefined News |website=The Times of India |date=23 December 2005}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwrcsi |title=Niharika Singh is the most desirable woman no. 40.mp4 – video Dailymotion |website=Dailymotion |date=14 January 2013}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/beauty-queens-who-turned-bollywood-actresses-121757.html |title=Beauty Queens Who Turned To Bollywood |date=9 January 2014 |website=The Times of India}}{{Cite web|url=https://thehinduimages.com/details-page.php?id=6481166|title=Pond's Femina Miss India Earth 2005, Niharika Singh (left) after crowning Bangalore's Nani Lemima as... | The Hindu Images|website=thehinduimages.com}}{{Cite web | title=Dailymotion | url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa2nfy | access-date=2024-12-27 | website=www.dailymotion.com}}

Niharika's film career began in 2006 when she signed a 10-film contract with Bollywood director Raj Kanwar under his banner Inderjit Films.{{Cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/some-faces-bound-to-go-places-in-bollywood_429543.html |title=Some faces bound to go places in Bollywood |date=11 March 2008 |website=Zee News}}{{Cite web |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/new-face-of-bollywood-1.151101 |title=New face of Bollywood |website=Gulf News |date=31 December 2008}}{{Cite web |url=https://forum.xcitefun.net/too-many-talented-new-faces-a-good-year-for-bollywood-so-far-t8913.html |title=Too Many Talented New Faces A Good Year For BollyWood So Far – XciteFun.net |website=forum.xcitefun.net}} The films were never made and she remained locked in the contract until singer Himesh Reshammiya approached her to play the role of a haughty heiress opposite him in A New Love Ishtory to be produced by T-Series (company) and directed by John Matthew Matthan.{{Cite web | title=Miss India Niharika Singh to debut opposite Himesh Reshammiya - entertainment - Hindustan Times | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/miss-india-niharika-singh-to-debut-opposite-himesh-reshammiya/story-66SvLi0r7XpJzEYSknnS5L.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623075610/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/miss-india-niharika-singh-to-debut-opposite-himesh-reshammiya/story-66SvLi0r7XpJzEYSknnS5L.html | access-date=2024-12-27 | archive-date=2020-06-23}}{{Cite web |url=https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogin.g%3FblogspotURL%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspisdrift.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fwhy-niharika-singh-is-here-to-stay.html%26type%3Dblog%26zx%3D1axy7b3i5dhwu&hl=en-US&ifkv=ASKXGp1Dlb1CrHpNP3mt94q43-wmhJ7UOSu4ubwHppk3Xj0kxifJMHpPQixHR0knWkTWLXwGcXy2Xw&passive=true&service=blogger&flowName=WebLiteSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin&dsh=S2013949868%3A1707603639945978 |title=Blogger }}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/i-play-a-female-vijay-mallya-niharika/articleshow/2847582.cms |title=I play a female Vijay Mallya!: Niharika |website=The Times of India |date=9 March 2008}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/debutante-niharika-finds-new-love-post-break-up/story-aIzKepRjy9JFX9ndQEVIXM.html |title=Debutante Niharika finds new love post break-up |date=25 February 2009 |website=Hindustan Times}} Niharika attended an acting course with Barry John (theatre director) before filming A New Love Ishtory.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/niharikas-new-love-ishtory/articleshow/4187366.cms |title=Niharika's New Love Ishtory - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=25 February 2009}} Due to internal differences during the making of the film, producer Bhushan Kumar pulled the finance, dubbed the unfinished version and sold the film directly to a television channel without the knowledge of the cast and crew.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/niharika-singh-opens-up-about-her-experiences/articleshow/66558463.cms |title=Niharika Singh opens up about her experiences – Times of India ► |website=The Times of India |date=11 November 2018}} Singh started shooting for her second film Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh Mudh Mudh Ke{{Cite web |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/exclusive-himesh-romances-two-hot-women-imagegallery-movies-jdwmP9gddcjsi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207214817/https://www.sify.com/movies/exclusive-himesh-romances-two-hot-women-imagegallery-movies-jdwmP9gddcjsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 December 2021 |title=Exclusive: Himesh romances two hot women |website=Sify}} opposite Reshammiya which was shelved mid-way.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/we-aren-t-cats-and-rats-we-re-girls-niharika/story-sDyxEvs5Hivs31Spgw8uHP.html |title=We aren't cats and rats, we're girls: Niharika |date=7 May 2008 |website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-we-aren-t-cats-and-rats-niharika-singh-1163062 |title=We aren't cats and rats: Niharika Singh |website=DNA India}}{{Cite web | title=rediff.com: The sexiest models to watch this year! | url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2008/mar/27sl4.htm | access-date=2024-12-27 | website=m.rediff.com}} She also acted in a Kannada film Private Number directed by Anand Kumar (director) that never found a release.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/beauty-belongs-in-cinema-niharika/articleshow/5958093.cms |title=Beauty belongs in cinema: Niharika |website=The Times of India |date=21 May 2010}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/72436/no-language-restrictions.html |title=No language restrictions! |date=30 May 2010 |website=Deccan Herald}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/70578/a-party-private-number.html |title=A party for 'Private Number' |date=20 May 2010 |website=Deccan Herald}}

After a series of shelved and unreleased films, Singh made her debut with Ashim Ahluwalia's critically acclaimed first feature Miss Lovely, set in the criminal depths of Mumbai's C-grade sex-horror film industry.{{cite web |author=Amrita Madhukalya |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-meet-niharika-singh-bollywood-s-new-miss-lovely-1953473 |title=Meet Niharika Singh, Bollywood's new 'Miss Lovely' |website=Daily News and Analysis |date=19 January 2014 |access-date=5 January 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20120507-former-miss-india-earth-niharika-singh-in-miss-lovely-758197-2012-04-28 |title=Just Her Luck – Eyecatchers News – Former Miss India Earth Niharika Singh gets role in Miss Lovely |website=India Today |date=28 April 2012 |author=Prachi Rege |access-date=15 April 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/i-shivered-after-reading-the-script-niharika-singh/articleshow/12789831.cms |title=I shivered after reading the script: Niharika Singh |website=The Times of India |date=21 April 2012}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/meet-niharika-miss-lovely-singh-122139.html |title=Meet Niharika 'Miss Lovely' Singh |date=13 January 2014 |website=The Times of India}} The film competed in Un Certain Regard at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival{{Cite web|url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-actress-niharika-singh-at-the-miss-lovely-film-photocall-at-the-65th-48896779.html|title=Actress Niharika Singh at the Miss Lovely film photocall at the 65th Cannes Film Festival France. Thursday 24th May 2012 Stock Photo - Alamy|website=www.alamy.com}}{{Cite web | title=Niharika Singh - Red carpet - Miss Lovely © FIF/CB - Festival de Cannes | url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/medialibrary/niharika-singh-red-carpet-miss-lovely-fif-cb/ | access-date=2024-12-27 | website=www.festival-cannes.com}}and won 2 awards at the 61st National Film Awards.{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/miss-lovely-at-cannes-nawazuddin-niharika-steal-the-show-839847.html |title='Miss Lovely ' at Cannes: Nawazuddin, Niharika steal the show |date=26 May 2012 |website=News18}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-nawazuddin-siddiqui/20120606.htm |title=There were more posters of Niharika than Ash in Cannes |website=Rediff}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140112/spectrum/main7.htm |title=The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum |website=The Tribune}} Singh played a mysterious ingénue with a shadowy past, for which she earned rave reviews for her performance and a nomination for the most promising newcomer at the 21st Screen Awards.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/playing-miss-lovely/article5590120.ece |title=Playing Miss Lovely |first=Harishikaa |last=Udasi |newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 January 2014}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.highheelconfidential.com/tag/niharika-singh/|title=Niharika Singh Archives}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140114/entertainment-bollywood/article/isn%E2%80%99t-she-lovely |title=Isn't she lovely? |first=natasha |last=coutinho |date=14 January 2014 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}{{Cite web |url=http://stars.topnews.in/2111613-its-brave-make-film-miss-lovely-niharika-singh |title=It's brave to make a film like 'Miss Lovely': Niharika Singh |website=stars.topnews.in |access-date=14 October 2020 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018113733/http://stars.topnews.in/2111613-its-brave-make-film-miss-lovely-niharika-singh |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/arts/26iht-dupont26.html |title=Mumbai in the Bad Old Days |first=Joan |last=Dupont |newspaper=The New York Times |date=25 May 2012}}{{Cite web |url=https://beautypageants.indiatimes.com/miss-india/arent-we-all-good-and-bad-niharika-singh/articleshow/28733624.cms |title=Aren't we all good and bad: Niharika Singh – Beauty Pageants – Indiatimes |website=Femina Miss India}}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/niharika-singh-from-miss-india-to-miss-lovely-123118.html |title=From Miss India to Miss Lovely |date=16 January 2014}} During the media interactions for Miss Lovely, Niharika mentioned she is attempting to write a memoir.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2014/vivacity/unemployed-by-choice.html |title=Unemployed by choice |website=The Pioneer}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/not-lovely-what-niharika-dislikes-about-bollywood |title=Not lovely: What Niharika dislikes about bollywood! |website=Free Press Journal}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/miss-lovely-backstory/cid/220258 |title=Miss lovely backstory |website=The Telegraph (India)}}{{cite web |url=http://www.santabanta.com/bollywood/77554/i-am-a-mad-nomad-meeting-miss-lovely-niharika-singh/ |title=I Am A Mad Nomad: Meeting 'Miss Lovely' Niharika Singh |website=santabanta.com}}{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/student-of-cinema/ |title=Student of cinema |work=The Indian Express |date=2 January 2014 |access-date=5 January 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140114/jsp/t2/story_17783916.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222081342/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140114/jsp/t2/story_17783916.jsp#.VOl8H4GXeK3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2015 |title=Meet miss lovely |website=The Telegraph (India) |date=14 January 2014 |access-date=5 January 2016}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/miss-lovely-behind-the-scenes/article5590452.ece |title=Miss Lovely: Behind the scenes |first=Anuj |last=Kumar |newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 January 2014}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-pix-nawazuddin-siddiqui-niharika-visit-rediff-office/20140109.htm |title=PIX: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Niharika visit the Rediff office |website=Rediff}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/i-didn-t-even-know-nawaz-says-miss-lovely-niharika/story-IXToOYC8H6SWIWuGBJv36K.html |title=I didn't even know Nawaz says Miss Lovely Niharika |date=6 January 2014 |website=Hindustan Times}}https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/meet-miss-lovely/cid/220443https://www.coastaldigest.com/meet-niharika-singh-bollywoods-new-miss-lovely

Niharika rediscovered cinema after her experience with Cannes and other international festivals and she joined a course at the Film and Television Institute of India in 2013 to expand her understanding of the medium.{{Cite web |title=Niharika Singh talks about her Cannes Journey – Beauty Pageants – Indiatimes |url=https://www.femina.in/beauty-pageants/miss-india/niharika-singh-talks-about-her-cannes-journey/articleshow/13841405.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128201621/https://www.femina.in/beauty-pageants/miss-india/niharika-singh-talks-about-her-cannes-journey/articleshow/13841405.cms |archive-date=2024-11-28 |website=Femina Miss India}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/miss-lovely-would-come-as-a-shock-niharika-singh/ |title="Miss Lovely would come as a shock" – Niharika Singh : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama |first=Bollywood |last=Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=17 January 2014}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/meet-niharika-miss-lovely-singh-122139.html |title=Meet Niharika 'Miss Lovely' Singh |date=13 January 2014}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.femina.in/beauty-pageants/others/beauty-queens-at-cannes-film-festival/eventshow/58747626.cms |title=Beauty queens at Cannes Film Festival over the years |website=femina.in}} The actress was selected for Berlinale Talents in 2016 where she was introduced to Alexander Technique while attending a workshop with Jean-Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/hi/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%9F/a-19053601 |title=बर्लिनाले में दिखा भारत की 'मिस लवली' का टैलेंट | 17 February 2016 |publisher=Deutsche Welle}}{{Cite web | title=10 Indian artistes chosen for Berlinale Talents - India.com | url=https://www.india.com/education/10-indian-artistes-chosen-for-berlinale-talents-1572362/ | access-date=2024-12-27 | website=www.india.com}}

Singh took a break from public life and made rare appearances in a few independently produced art house films over the next decade. She was seen in Buddhadeb Dasgupta's Hindi feature Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa that premiered at BFI London Film Festival,{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/meet-miss-lovely/cid/1555947 |title=Meet miss lovely |website=The Telegraph (India)}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/news/nawaz-and-niharika-pair-up-again |title=Nawaz and Niharika pair up again |date=25 March 2013}}Bappaditya Bandopadhyay's multi-lingual drama Sohra Bridge, which screened at the 46th International Film Festival of India,{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/115026115-bappaditya-bandopadhyays-sohra-bridge-2016-last-bow-brilliant-film-maker |title=Bappaditya Bandopadhyay's Sohra Bridge (2016): the last bow of a brilliant film-maker |website=WBRi Washington Bangla Radio USA |access-date=2 February 2019 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706063904/http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/115026115-bappaditya-bandopadhyays-sohra-bridge-2016-last-bow-brilliant-film-maker |url-status=usurped}}{{cite web |url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31812&articlexml=SILVER-LINING-FOR-SOHRA-BRIDGE-17022016106005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203032431/http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31812&articlexml=SILVER-LINING-FOR-SOHRA-BRIDGE-17022016106005 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 February 2019 |title=The Times Group |website=The Times of India}} Nikhil Pherwani's directorial debut Ahaan, the first Hindi-language film to cast an actor with down syndrome in the lead and Ashim Ahluwalia's Indian segment "Palace of horrors" in the feature-length horror anthology The Field Guide to Evil, which had its world premiere at South by Southwest. She actively chose to keep a low profile in the media and refused to participate in promotional activities for any film during this period.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

File:Suraj Yengde, Pa. Ranjith, Niharika Singh, and Nagraj Manjule taking a selfie at the Dalit Film Festival in New York city.jpg, Pa. Ranjith, Niharika Singh, and Nagraj Manjule taking a selfie at the Dalit Film Festival in New York city, USA in 2019.]]

In 2019, Singh joined Mumbai-based Future East as a director of the film production company.{{Cite web |url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2019/nov/13/need-perspective-of-unheard-voices-film-company-launches-paid-internship-for-dalit-students-9044.html |title=Need perspective of unheard voices: Film company launches paid internship for Dalit students |website=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/diversity-film-training-programme-launched-for-the-dalit-bahujan-and-adivasi-community/article30025822.ece |title=Diversity film training programme launched for the Dalit Bahujan and Adivasi community |first=Namrata |last=Joshi |newspaper=The Hindu |date=20 November 2019}} She co-founded Future East Digital with filmmaker Ashim Ahluwalia{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/column-dreamy-dulha-writes-shalini-sharma-2574985 |title=Dreamy dulha writes Shalini Sharma |website=DNA India}} and creative director Amit Basak in 2020.

Niharika turned producer with the young-adult drama Class for Netflix in 2023. The series explores a wide range of social issues affecting modern youth including casteism, child neglect, corruption, homophobia, religious discrimination, and income inequality in India.{{Cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/6-binge-worthy-shows-that-you-just-cannot-miss-news-261244 |title=6 Binge-Worthy Shows That You Just Cannot Miss |website=Outlook India}}{{cite web |url=https://www.adgully.com/the-making-of-class-netflix-s-first-indian-adaptation-of-a-foreign-title-129197.html |title=The making of 'Class', Netflix's first Indian adaptation of a foreign title |date=4 March 2023}}

Singh was given a rousing welcome and declared the state guest in Uttarakhand after she was crowned Miss Earth India.{{Cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/niharika-arrives-to-rousing-welcome_214846.html |title=Niharika arrives to rousing welcome |date=2 May 2005 |website=Zee News}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/photos/single/7258 |title=Outlook India Photo Gallery |website=Outlookindia}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newstodaynetwork.com/success-story/dehradun-niharika-singh-got-this-special-honor-in/cid3304097.htm |title=देहरादून- निहारिका सिंह को उत्तराखंड में मिला ये खास सम्मान, मेहनत से ऐसे कमाया देशभर में नाम |date=16 June 2021}} Additionally, she was appointed the goodwill ambassador for Rotary Blood Bank in 2005 at the behest of the Governor of Uttarakhand Sudarshan Agarwal and a garden was named after her in Mussoorie.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2005/05/13/stories/2005051303260200.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150222060458/http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2005/05/13/stories/2005051303260200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2015 |title=Life Delhi / Talk Of The Town : All for a good cause |date=13 May 2005 |work=The Hindu |access-date=5 January 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30205371.ece |title=For a law on blood banks |first=PURNIMA S. |last=TRIPATHI |website=Frontline |date=14 July 2005}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050601/chd.htm#ls|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh|website=www.tribuneindia.com}}

In 2007, a model from Benaras shot to fame by walking down the ramp impersonating Niharika Singh.{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/videos/india/miss-india-fake-267356.html |title=Ms India: Wannabe model fakes it |website=News18}}

Niharika issued a public statement in 2017 when her name was used to garner publicity to sell actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui's memoir An Ordinary Life written by Rituparna Chatterjee and published by Penguin Random House with a fabricated account of their relationship.{{Cite web |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/movies/nawazuddin-disrespecting-a-woman-to-sell-his-book-says-niharika-singh-594796 |title=Nawazuddin DISRESPECTING a woman to sell his book, says Niharika Singh |date=24 October 2017 |website=ABP Live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.inuth.com/entertainment/bollywood/nawazuddin-siddiquis-book-written-without-knowledge-or-consent-niharika-singh-responds/ |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui's book written without knowledge or consent: Niharika Singh responds |date=24 October 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/niharika-singh-on-alleged-affair-with-nawazuddin-siddiqui-he-wants-to-sell-his-book-he-is-manipulating-a-fleeting-relationship-4904768/ |title=Niharika Singh on alleged affair with Nawazuddin Siddiqui: He wants to sell his book, he is manipulating a fleeting relationship |date=24 October 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/niharika-singh-lashes-back-at-nawazuddin-siddiqui |title=Niharika Singh lashes back at Nawazuddin Siddiqui |website=Free Press Journal}} After a severe backlash and a defamation case by another actress Sunita Rajwar, Nawazuddin Siddiqui issued an apology and withdrew the book within a fortnight after its release.{{Cite web |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/nawazuddin-siddiquis-memoir-an-ordinary-life-pulped/articleshow/61350913.cms |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui's memoir, An Ordinary Life, pulped |website=Mumbai Mirror}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-lying-says-ex-sunita-rajwar-after-he-sends-legal-notice-1789895 |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui Is Lying, Says Ex Sunita Rajwar After He Sends Legal Notice |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/nawazuddin-siddiqui-niharika-singh-sunita-affair-1071177-2017-10-28 |date=28 October 2017 |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui's book is extraordinary lies: After Niharika Singh, his first girlfriend slams him |website=India Today}} Veteran actress Asha Parekh showed her displeasure and said, "What Nawazuddin did to the ladies was not in good taste."{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/041117/asha-parekh-slams-nawaz-for-tell-all-biography.html |title=Asha Parekh slams Nawaz for his tell-all biography |first=subhash k |last=jha |date=4 November 2017 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.womensweb.in/2018/11/niharika-singhs-metoo-story-makes-us-think-of-the-precondition-to-consenting/ |title=Niharika Singh's #MeToo Story Makes Us Think Of The Precondition To Consenting |first=Sushumna |last=Kannan |date=21 November 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.inuth.com/entertainment/bollywood/locker-room-banter-gift-wrapped-in-sordid-quotes-the-issue-with-nawazuddin-siddiquis-version-of-his-affairs/ |title=Locker room banter gift-wrapped in sordid quotes: The issue with Nawazuddin Siddiqui's version of his affairs |date=26 October 2017}} In a later interview, Siddiqui stated that "It was the biggest mistake of my life."{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/weblite/videos/celeb-interviews/nawazuddin-siddiqui-an-ordinary-life-book-was-the-biggest-mistake-of-my-life-niharika-singh-2/ |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui |website=Bollywood Hungama}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/nawazuddin-siddiqui-withdraws-biography-apologises-for-hurting-sentiments-1768973 |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui Withdraws Biography. Apologises For 'Hurting Sentiments' |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/why-nawazuddin-siddiqui-decided-to-withdrew-his-biography-titled-an-ordinary-life-a-memoir-1769189 |title=Why Nawazuddin Siddiqui Decided To Withdraw His Biography Titled An Ordinary Life: A Memoir |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mynation.com/entertainment/fans-bots-trolls-nawazuddin-siddiqui-tweet-against-niharika-singh-pi14pl |title=Is Nawazuddin Siddiqui relying on organised social media trolling against Niharika Singh? Here are clues |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd}}

In November 2018, Singh wrote an essay addressing the Me Too movement as a dalit woman in the entertainment business which was posted by journalist Sandhya Menon on Twitter.{{Cite web |url=https://www.blanknoise.org/caste-blog/niharikasingh |title=#ReportingToRemember the media and the Hindi film fraternity for blaming & shaming Niharika Singh |website=Blank Noise |date=26 May 2021}} The piece went viral and was immediately picked up by all leading media publications and news channels in India.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/me-too-why-many-women-don-t-speak-out-about-sexual-abuse-immediately-91747 |title=Me Too: Why many women don't speak out about sexual abuse 'immediately' |date=17 November 2018 |website=The News Minute}}{{cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/niharika-singh-shares-her-metoo-account-neo-liberal-savarna-feminism-isnt-going-to-liberate-anyone-5528681.html |title=Niharika Singh shares her #MeToo account: Neo-liberal, savarna feminism isn't going to liberate anyone |date=10 November 2018 |website=Firstpost}}{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tattooed-my-name-on-his-chest-niharika-singh-remembers-abusive-husband-of-flight-attendant-who-committed-suicide-2684337 |title=Tattooed my name on his chest: Niharika Singh remembers 'abusive' husband of flight attendant who committed suicide |date=10 November 2018 |website=DNA India}}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/niharika-singh-nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-a-sexually-repressed-man-with-toxic-male-entitlement-1385693-2018-11-10 |title=Niharika Singh: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a sexually repressed man with toxic male entitlement |date=10 November 2018 |work=India Today}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-former-miss-india-niharika-singh-slams-nandita-das-and-kavita-krishna-for-enabling-sexual-predators-2684339 |title=Former Miss India Niharika Singh slams Nandita Das and Kavita Krishnan for 'enabling' sexual predators |website=DNA India}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.storypick.com/niharika-singh-me-too/ |title=Former Miss India Niharika Singh Pens Powerful Post On #MeToo, Names Nawazuddin Siddiqui |date=10 November 2018 |website=Storypick}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/nikarika-singh-on-me-too-nawazuddin-siddiqui-oppression-of-dalit-women |title=Niharika Singh Calls Nawazuddin a 'Sexually Repressed Indian Man' |date=10 November 2018 |website=TheQuint}} Niharika was subsequently invited as a guest and speaker for the India Conference at Harvard University in 2019 as well as Columbia University & The New School for the inaugural DALIFF held in New York.{{Cite web |url=https://thewire.in/film/dalit-film-festival-discusses-the-role-of-caste-in-setting-cultural-sensibilities |title=Dalit Film Festival Discusses the Role of Caste in Setting Cultural Sensibilities |website=The Wire}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/02/27/dalit-film-festival-is-not-just-a-festival-its-a-movement |title='Dalit Film Festival is not just a festival, it's a movement' |website=Newslaundry |date=27 February 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/first-dalit-film-festival-in-us-shortlists-kaala-and-masaan-among-other-films-by-dalit-filmmakers-2034313.html |title=First Dalit Film Festival in US Shortlists Kaala and Masaan Among Other Films by Dalit Filmmakers |website=News18 |date=12 February 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/daliff-film-and-cultural-festival-celebrating-dalit-art-life-and-pride-97574 |title=DALIFF: A film and cultural festival celebrating Dalit art, life and pride |date=March 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.currentriggers.com/entertainment/metoo-woman-niharika-singh/ |title=Niharika Singh set to speak at Harvard now |date=14 February 2019}}

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{{Succession box

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| title= Miss Earth India

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{{Miss Earth 2005 delegates}}

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Category:Femina Miss India winners

Category:Female models from Uttarakhand

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Category:Miss Earth India delegates

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema

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Category:21st-century Indian actresses

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Category:Shri Ram College of Commerce alumni