From revealing being a ADHD kid to suffering emotional breakdown while working for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah; Former Sonu aka Nidhi Bhanushali gets candid about life

Former Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actress Nidhi Bhanushali, known for playing Sonu, quit the show in 2019 to persue higher studies in 2019. Recently, in a podcast interview with HindiRush, the actress opened up about her personal journey. From being a ADHD kid to facing emotional breakdowns during her time on the show, Nidhi got candid about life. In a heartfelt conversation, she spoke about the challenges and experiences that shaped her both personally and professionally. Take a look at all that she revealed:- (Photo: Instagram)

It's not even that long ago, honestly, because there was always so much going on. I’ve had ADHD since childhood, so everything felt fast-paced. I loved doing multiple things at once. Even as a kid, I wasn't just focused on school — I was constantly involved in extracurriculars like dance, music, swimming, and reading. There was always something keeping me busy. (Photo: Instagram)

Then there came an opportunity of giving an audition for a show. When I was 9 year old, I gave my first audition which was for some TV show, I don’t clearly remember. I got selected also, but the problem was I had to stay in Gujarat for few months. It was a lead role in a TV show. I had my school, entire life in Mumbai where I was born and brought up. My daadi did not find it right for me to shift and compromise with studies. So we let that opportunity pass but I still kept auditioning and did a lot of Ads. (Photo: Instagram)

I enjoyed the phase a lot, I was attending school, doing my extra-curricular activities. I did graduation in Bharatnatyam, I used to go to Hindustani vocals classes, a lot of other things were happening and I was doing acting also. It was a very colourful childhood. I just know I'm ADHD, I was not clinically diagnosed. (Photo: Instagram)See more: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's former Sonu aka Nidhi Bhanushali on actors leaving the show; says 'Nobody needs to give justification'​

It was not tough to manage studies, acting and other curricular activities, In fact, I was enjoying. My parents were very supportive and I am sure it must have been very difficult for them, but they never made me feel the pressure. My mom had become such a superhuman that she scheduled everything very well for me. I just hopped from one class to another and I never felt stressful. I was academically very good, no matter how many classes I attended but my grades never dropped, it never went below 80 percent. (Photo: Instagram)

Travel came into my life in a very fun and strange way. When I started travelling, I started almost like full time after 2019. Before that my life was all about managing life in school and college and other activities and work. There was a time when I felt even 24 hours is less. I realised I was going through burnout at just 18. So, I just took a break from life. I quit working for the show, I was doing. I wanted to focus on my education as I was in my last year of degree. Then there was 2020, the pandemic. So I situated myself somewhere remotely in India and I completed my graduation through online. Then I just left, to learn some life skills. (Photo: Instagram)

One of the biggest emotional breakdown I felt was when I was working with TMKOC for 7 years and it was the same routine. Initially, I enjoyed a lot because I was learning a lot but when it became a routine, I did not realise that there was a lot of pressure on my brain. It was very overwhelming. Jab aap bhagte rehte ho aur aapko lagta hai ab rukne ki zarurat hai saans lene ke liye. That’s when I decided to quit everything and take a long break. (Photo: Instagram)

Once randomly I went to audition for TMKOC, I was giving two three more auditions that particular day. TMKOC was one of them and we knew it is for one or the shows and it might be a longer commitment. We had decided we would never sign up for a show which is longer commitment. But when we got to know that it is for this show and TMKOC was already on-air for 4 years by that time. I was also an avid viewer, so it interested me to give audition. (Photo: Instagram)See more: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah takes the number spot on TRP charts; Producer Asit Kumarr Modi says; 'It is not just a show—it's a shared dream'​

They were auditioning some 600-800 girls for Sonu's role, so zaruri thodi na hai main select ho jaaun. But in the next three four days, I was informed that I was selected for the role. Then my entire family was sitting together and we were thinking now what. We never thought I would get selected, so my parents sat me down and asked if I would like to do it. And I was very excited but they kept few conditions. They warned me that things will be difficult and my life would change. They also told me that they won’t compromise on my education just because I’m doing a TV show. My parents told me I’ll have their full support but I’ll have to 12 hours shift, juggle between work and studies and asked me if I was ready for it. I asked for sometime to think over it and after heavy discussion, I said yes. (Photo: Instagram)

Nidhi opened up about her school life and how things changed after she became an actor. “Not much changed, there were few changes like, I couldn’t go to school that much due to specific shifts. Also, my school was very supportive that they would provide me notes to study on the sets or like allowing me to attend school till half day till the recess. I did my 10th and 12td standard while working endlessly for TMKOC. I used to be so tired during my 9th-10th class that I would sleep during classes sometimes. My teachers were very supportive. For a really long, I was enjoying," she shared. (Photo: Instagram)