“I Had Given up on Bollywood… Then Masti 4 Came Chasing Me”: Nishant Malkani

Mumbai: When television’s quintessential romantic hero Nishant Malkani boarded a flight to the UK for the shoot of Masti 4, he wasn’t just stepping into a new film—he was stepping into a new version of himself. The transformation was so dramatic that even the original “Masti boys”—Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani—were stunned.

For an actor who built his image on earnest TV drama, dabbled with reality TV chaos in Bigg Boss 14, and navigated failed film attempts, this wasn’t merely a casting. It was a comeback, a quiet reclamation of a dream he had almost buried.

In this candid conversation, Nishant revisits that 50-day metamorphosis, his initiation into Bollywood’s most mischievous franchise, and the personal battle that led him here.

Q. You walked into Masti 4 after an intense 50-day body overhaul. What was the hardest part of that journey?

Nishant Malkani: More than resisting cheat meals, the hardest part was the mental reset. I was very clear—I wanted to walk onto that set as a different man. I trained every single day for 50 days, ate clean, and followed a lifestyle my coach designed down to the last gram. When the team saw me in the UK for the first time, they didn’t recognize this version of me. Later, when they saw my transformation pictures, Vivek, Riteish, and Aftab were completely shocked. Their reaction was the biggest reward.

Q. Your caption “Thoda Naughty, Thoda Nice” has fans guessing. Where does your character sit in the Masti universe?

Nishant: Let’s just say he’s the twist. He changes the entire graph of Masti 4. That unpredictability is what makes him exciting.

Q. What surprised you most when you entered this cult comedy space?

Nishant: The script is outrageous—classic Masti, but sharper. And the bond between the original trio genuinely touched me. They’ve worked together for years, but they welcomed me like family from day one. That warmth made the transition effortless.

Q. The leaked beach song has already gone viral. Any BTS?

Nishant: (laughs) That day was hilarious. It was the first time the cast saw me shirtless. Riteish and Vivek joked, “Bro, with this body, we might need jackets!” That one line killed all awkwardness.

Q. You also worked with Elnaaz Norouzi, Ruhi Singh, and Natalia Janoszek. How was the chemistry?

Nishant: Amazing. Weeks in the UK bonded us like a family. Our inside joke was shouting, “I have an IDEAAA!” whenever someone planned a prank or came up with something wild.

Q. Masti 4 marks a major Bollywood breakthrough. Did this feel like destiny?

Nishant: Completely. There was a point when I had almost given up. My earlier film ventures didn’t work, and it felt like maybe TV was where I belonged. But life has perfect timing. When you stop chasing something obsessively, it somehow finds its way back to you.
Masti 4 came when I was mentally, physically, and spiritually ready. To make my big-screen debut as one of the leads in such a massive franchise—it’s more than I imagined.

Q. What was it like working with director Milap Zaveri?

Nishant: Milap sir is spontaneous and fearless. He lets actors play, improvise, and surprise themselves. Some lines were too naughty and didn’t make the final cut—but we had a blast creating them.

Q. Who’s the biggest prankster?

Nishant: Riteish, hands down. His timing is insane. And let me clarify—Tusshar Kapoor isn’t doing a cameo. He’s one of the main leads. He’s humble, grounded, and brilliant to work with.

Q. Does Masti 4 turn up the spice?

Nishant: It evolves it. The humor is naughtier but more situational and sharper. The production scale is the biggest in the franchise yet.

Q. What did the 50-day grind teach you?

Nishant: That discipline is everything. It wasn’t just a physical change—it pulled me out of a difficult phase. Now I believe I can do anything.

Q. If you could “masti-fy” one awkward real-life moment?

Nishant: (laughs) There’s a scene where a cobra bites me… you know where. It was weird to shoot, but hysterical on screen. Comedy has that magic—it makes awkwardness iconic.

Q. One-line teaser for fans?

Nishant: The chaos is coming—and it’s got a new name.