Actress Niki Aneja Walia, the star of several TV shows like Sea Hawks (1996), Saher (1999) and Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani (2002), has opened up about landing her first film opposite Anil Kapoor, and how that experience scarred her so much that she quit her second film, opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Films was never the plan even though her father was associated with the industry, but she took up modelling gigs to earn money to fulfill her dream of becoming a pilot.

How Niki Aneja landed her first film thanks to Mid-day

Niki made her acting debut with Mr. Azaad (1994) starring Anil Kapoor as the hero. Here's how she landed the film: During her modelling days, Niki flew to Seoul, South Korea, to participate in the beauty pageant called Miss World University in 1991. She ended up being the runner-up at the pageant, resulting in her being World Ambassador for Peace 1991-1992 - Miss Arirang as it was called in South Korea.