A successful practising cardiologist in England, Dr Niharica Raizada, grand-daughter of legendary musician O P Nayyar, has debuted in a hit Bengali romantic comedy 'Damadol' with an item number.
Niharica has also been signed up for three films by a major Bollywood production house.
Asked what made her take a plunge into the world of showbiz, Niharica told PTI at a special screening of 'Damadol', "I don't see why someone pursuing cardiac science cannot take a plunge into a creative world. Are these two irreconcilable, specially in this age?"
Niharica, who was born in Luxembourg in Europe and studied medicine in London, subsequently specialised in her favourite subject of cardiology at Johns Hopkins (Baltimore), under a Fulbright scholarship.
Insisting that her foray into the world of performing arts was not a flash-in-the-pan decision, the doctor-turned-artiste said she had been practising classical dance and ballet from a very young age.
"I remember that I was just five when I performed Bharatnatyam dance in Germany. But I admit I have qualms in being an eye candy for the audience, I want to play a today's woman," she said.
"After graduating from Johns Hopkins, I had the choice of taking a break from a career in medicine to follow my inner calling in arts and acting � and that's what I am doing," she said.
