Last Updated: January 3, 2026
Niki Aneja Walia is a 52-year-old Indian television and film actress known for her iconic role as Dr. Simran Mathur in Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani, with a career spanning 30+ years, married to Sonny Walia, mother of twins Sean and Sabrina, and currently residing in England.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from reputable sources including Wikipedia, IMDb, verified interviews, entertainment databases, and official social media accounts. While we strive for accuracy, some personal details (particularly regarding family life, exact dates of events, and private matters) may be based on multiple sources as Niki Aneja Walia maintains privacy around certain aspects of her personal life.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Niki Aneja Walia (née Aneja) |
| Date of Birth | September 26, 1972 |
| Age | 52 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5’3″ (160 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| Profession | Actress, Model, VJ, Host, Compere |
| Husband | Sonny Walia (married February 2002) |
| Children | Twins – Sean (son) and Sabrina (daughter) |
| Famous For | Dr. Simran in Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani |
| Current Residence | Ilford, England, UK |
| Years Active | 1991 – Present (30+ years) |
| Education | St. Teresa’s Convent School, Santacruz |
| Notable Title | “Madhuri Dixit of Small Screen” |
| Famous Relative | Cousin of actor Parmeet Sethi |
Who is Niki Aneja Walia? The Television Queen Who Conquered Hearts
You know that feeling when someone just lights up the screen? That’s Niki Aneja Walia for you. If you grew up watching Indian television in the early 2000s, you absolutely know her face—even if you don’t immediately remember the name.
Niki Aneja Walia is one of those rare actresses who did it all—modeling, VJ-ing, hosting, and acting—and excelled at every single thing. Born on September 26, 1972, in Mumbai, this talented artist has been entertaining audiences for over three decades now. That’s 30+ years of pure dedication to the craft!
What makes Niki Aneja Walia truly special isn’t just her stunning looks (though people constantly told her she looked like Madhuri Dixit). It’s her versatility. She’s played a naval officer, a doctor, a comedic character, and everything in between. She’s worked in Hindi television, Bollywood films, British Asian soaps, and now OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
But here’s what most people don’t know: Niki Aneja Walia isn’t just an actress. She’s a beauty pageant winner, a judge at Femina Miss India 1994 (the year Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen won their crowns!), a World Ambassador for Peace, and a devoted mother to twin teenagers. Talk about wearing multiple hats!
Career Breakthrough: From VJ to Leading Lady
The VJ and Host Era
Niki Aneja Walia didn’t just jump straight into acting. She paid her dues as a VJ (Video Jockey) and compere, hosting various shows and events. This experience taught her how to be comfortable in front of cameras and connect with audiences—skills that would serve her incredibly well in her acting career.
She co-hosted numerous international stage shows alongside big stars, building connections and learning the entertainment business from every angle. One of her frequent co-hosts? Shah Rukh Khan. Yes, SRK himself! (More on their connection later.)
Film Debut: Mr. Azaad (1994)
In 1994, Niki Aneja Walia made her Bollywood debut with “Mr. Azaad,” playing Inspector Shalu opposite Anil Kapoor. While the film didn’t set the box office on fire, it gave her a taste of mainstream cinema and opened doors to more opportunities.
She also appeared in music videos during this era, including:
- “Eyes” by Anu Malik (1993)
- Indian Television Academy Theme Song (2003)
- “Vote for Ghagra” by Ila Arun (2000)
Television Takes Over
But it was television where Niki Aneja Walia truly found her calling. She appeared in over 31 television serials across various genres—comedy, drama, action—proving she could handle absolutely anything thrown at her.
Some of Niki Aneja Walia movies and tv shows include:
Major Television Shows:
- Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani (2002-2006) – Her career-defining role as Dr. Simran Mathur
- Gharwaali Uparwaali (2001) – Where the life-changing accident happened
- Baat Ban Jaye – Playing Nikki on Zee TV
- Sea Hawks (1997) – As Dr. Natasha, a naval officer
- Dastaan
- Samandar (2000)
- Ghar Ek Sapna (2009)
- Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara (2017)
- Punchbeat (2018) – AltBalaji series
- Cloud 9 (2012) – UK’s first British Asian soap
Films:
- Mr. Azaad (1994)
- Chocolate (2000)
- Shaandaar (2015) – With Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt
- Lupt (2017)
- Neeyat (2024) – With Vidya Balan
Love Story: Meeting Sonny Walia
Despite the professional turmoil, something beautiful was happening in Niki Aneja Walia personal life. She met Sonny Walia, and their connection was instant.
Who is Niki Aneja Walia Husband?
Niki Aneja Walia husband Sonny Walia was based in the UK, and after the couple fell in love, they decided to start their life together there. In February 2002, Niki Aneja Walia married Sonny in what must have been a beautiful celebration of love and new beginnings.
The timing was significant. After the traumatic accident and the stress of the Indian television industry, moving to the UK with Niki Aneja Walia husband offered a fresh start. It was a chance to heal, both physically and emotionally, away from the spotlight’s constant glare.
Life in England
Niki Aneja Walia husband and she settled in Ilford, England, where they still reside today. The move meant giving up the daily grind of Indian television, but it also meant prioritizing her health, her marriage, and eventually, her children.
Current Life: Living Between Two Worlds
Today, Niki Aneja Walia splits her time between England and India. Her primary home is in the UK with Niki Aneja Walia husband Sonny and their twins, but she travels to India for work and to maintain her connection with the industry.
She’s active on social media, sharing glimpses of her life, throwback photos, and updates about her projects. She’s not doing daily soaps anymore (understandably—those schedules are brutal), but she’s very much still in the game.
At 52, she’s in what might be the best phase of her career. She has the freedom to choose interesting projects, the maturity that comes with experience, and the security of a happy family life. That’s winning at life, if you ask me!
Conclusion: A Life Well Lived
Niki Aneja Walia journey is a masterclass in resilience, adaptation, and grace. From beauty pageant contestant to VJ to television icon to Bollywood actress to British Asian soap star to OTT performer—she’s done it all.
She survived a horrific Niki Aneja Walia accident that could have ended her career and traumatized her for life. Instead, she found love, moved countries, raised beautiful Niki Aneja Walia kids, and continued pursuing her passion.
Niki Aneja Walia family is clearly her priority now, but she hasn’t sacrificed her identity or ambitions. She’s proved that you can be a devoted mother, a supportive wife, and still be the star of your own story.
Her Niki Aneja Walia Astitva role will always be what she’s most remembered for—but her real legacy is showing that life doesn’t have to be either/or. You can have the career AND the family. You can be beautiful AND talented. You can face tragedy AND come back stronger.
Whether you remember her from Niki Aneja Walia young modelling days, her television reign, or her more recent OTT appearances, one thing is clear: she’s made her mark. And she’s not done yet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How old is Niki Aneja Walia and what is her background?
Niki Aneja Walia age is 52 years old as of 2025. She was born on September 26, 1972, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She grew up in a family connected to the film industry—her father Narayan Aneja owned Seth Film Studios. Niki Aneja Walia attended St. Teresa’s Convent School in Santacruz, Mumbai. Before becoming an actress, she was a beauty pageant contestant (Miss World University Runner-up 1991), model, VJ, and compere. She began her entertainment career in the early 1990s and has been active for over 30 years. She’s the cousin of actor Parmeet Sethi, so acting and entertainment run in her blood. Currently, she divides her time between her home in England and projects in India.
2. Who is Niki Aneja Walia’s husband and does she have children?
Niki Aneja Walia husband is Sonny Walia, whom she married in February 2002. Sonny was based in the UK, and shortly after their marriage, the couple relocated to England where they currently reside in Ilford. Niki Aneja Walia children are twins—a son named Sean and a daughter named Sabrina. Niki Aneja Walia son Sean and Niki Aneja Walia daughter Sabrina were born after the couple’s marriage and turned 16 years old in 2021. Niki Aneja Walia kids are kept largely out of the public spotlight, though she occasionally shares family moments on social media. The Niki Aneja Walia family appears to be close-knit and happy, with Niki successfully balancing her acting career with her roles as wife and mother.
3. What happened in Niki Aneja Walia’s accident and how did Shah Rukh Khan help?
The Niki Aneja Walia accident occurred in 2000 on the set of the TV show “Gharwaali Uparwaali.” During a scene, a junior artist who didn’t know how to drive properly ran a car over her. The accident was horrific—she was dragged under the vehicle, suffered severe injuries to her right hand, and her ear was partially torn from her body. She was hospitalized for a month and a half. The most touching part of this story is that Shah Rukh Khan visited her in the hospital at midnight (to avoid paparazzi). He revealed that he had seen the same red Maruti van earlier that day at Film City with someone learning to drive in it. SRK told her the production house had tried to save ₹1,000 by hiring an untrained driver, and he urged her to sue them. This Niki Aneja Walia accident significantly impacted her career and was one reason she eventually moved to the UK.
4. What are Niki Aneja Walia’s most famous movies and TV shows?
Niki Aneja Walia movies and tv shows span over 30 years and include more than 31 television serials. Her most iconic role is Dr. Simran Mathur in “Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani” (2002-2006) on Zee TV, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 2004 Indian Telly Awards. Other notable TV shows include “Gharwaali Uparwaali” (2001), “Sea Hawks” (1997) where she played naval officer Dr. Natasha, “Baat Ban Jaye,” “Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara” (2017), “Punchbeat” (2018), and UK’s first British Asian soap “Cloud 9” (2012). In films, she appeared in “Mr. Azaad” (1994) with Anil Kapoor, “Chocolate” (2000), “Shaandaar” (2015) with Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, “Lupt” (2017), and most recently “Neeyat” (2024) with Vidya Balan. She’s also worked on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Zee5, and AltBalaji.
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