Nikhila Vimal is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil films in addition to Telugu films.^[1] After appearing in a minor role in Bhagyadevatha (2009), her lead role in the big screen came in Love 24x7 (2015). She went on to appear in successful films like Vetrivel (2016), Kidaari (2016), Aravindante Athidhikal (2018), Njan Prakashan (2018), Mera Naam Shaji (2019), Oru Yamandan Premakadha (2019), Thambi (2019), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020), The Priest (2021), Madhuram (2021), Jo and Jo (2022), Kotthu (2022), Ayalvaashi (2023), Por Thozhil (2023) and Journey of Love 18+ (2023).^[2]

Nikhila Vimal was born in Taliparamba, Kannur, Kerala to late M. R. Pavithran and Kalamandalam Vimaladevi. Her father was retired from statistical department while her mother is a dancer. Her elder sister Akhila Vimal is a research scholar in Theater Arts at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Nikhila learned Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kerala Natanam and Monoact and made her presence at youth festivals.^[3] She graduated with a B.Sc. in botany in 2016 from Sir Syed College, Taliparamba.^[4]

Nikhila Vimal acted in a documentary series, Saint Alphonsa that aired on Shalom TV. Nikhila made her debut as a child artist while in her class 8th, with Sathyan Anthikkad’s Bhagyadevatha (2009), playing the sister of Jayaram.^[5] Her major role came in Love 24x7 (2015),^[4] in which she was paired with Dileep, played the role of Kabini, a trainee reporter, directed by Sreebala K Menon who happened to be an associate director in Bhagyadevatha.

She shot her first Tamil film with Panjumittai opposite Ma Ka Pa Anand, but it was released two years later. Her second Tamil film Onbathu Kuzhi Sampath,^[6] had its release a few years later. Her first theatrically released Tamil film was Vetrivel (2016).^[7] She was among the three heroines of the film, played Latha opposite M.Sasikumar.^[8] Though her role was a small one, she made an impression with her performance in the film and was later signed^[9] to play the lead in M.Sasikumar 's own production Kidaari (2016).^[10] The film was well received and commercially successful and her role as Chemba was appreciated by critics. She was nominated for Best Debut Actress for Kidaari in the SIIMA Awards 2017.

Her debut Telugu film was Meda Meeda Abbayi with Allari Naresh.^[11] Her Malayalam film Aravindante Athidhikal opened to a positive reception and was commercially successful. She won the Most Popular Actress Award for Aravindante Athidhikal in the Kerala Kaumudi Flash Movies Award 2019, and also won the Best Star Pair of the Year Award for Aravindante Athidhikal in the Vanitha Film Awards 2019. Her last release of 2018 was the Sathyan Anthikad film, Njan Prakashan starring Fahadh Faasil in the lead role.^[12]

In 2019, she starred in Thambi alongside Karthi and Jyothika, becoming a commercial success.^[13]

In 2023, she played a significant role in the critically acclaimed Tamil film, Por Thozhil.^[14][15]