Nikhil Sharma (Rik Makarem)

[Cheetah]

This could be really interesting - I think he'll have become much more confident and his experience in Canada will have given him many more strings to hs bow. Plus he's been a single parent in a foreign country (even though it speaks English) that's a double whammy. He's going to be a very different person to the one we knew before - if he isn't then he's coming back because he failed in Canada - more problems?

[Telly Watcher]

This could be really interesting - I think he'll have become much more confident and his experience in Canada will have given him many more strings to hs bow. Plus he's been a single parent in a foreign country (even though it speaks English) that's a double whammy. He's going to be a very different person to the one we knew before - if he isn't then he's coming back because he failed in Canada - more problems?

I've always thought that Nikhil was the submissive unconfident neurotic one when compared to dominant confident stable Jai. But now Jai has shown that he has a new bullying, addictive, over-confident and unstable personality which is maybe going to bring him and the factory down without intervention? Maybe Jai now has a storyline which involves drug use rehabilitation and therapy and the factory carries on without him, under the guidance of Rishi, with new business from the Granny Clegg's cordial sideline with Kirin and Belle?

I really want Nikhil to return to Emmerdale as a much stronger and dominant character than before. Life experience counts for a big lot in the workplace, even from my own experience. I really hope he's learned a massive amount about life since he's been away 'in Canada' since leaving Emmerdale. Don't let us down, Nikhil!

[Kim]

After the mention of Priya and Rakesh's wedding tonight, I guess we know what originally brings Nikhil back to the village.

[suzewebb]

Rishi brings a face from the past back shortly as everything is a mess so nikhil comes back for that rather than the wedding i presume.

[Telly Watcher]

Emmerdale: Nikhil Sharma's comeback storyline is revealed

Actor Rik Makarem will make his return to the ITV soap next week

By David Brown
Tuesday 20 October 2015 at 10:13AM

Nikhil Sharma (Rik Makarem) will arrive back in the village next week following a cry for help from dad Rishi. With life at the factory in crisis thanks to Jai's growing dependency on cocaine, Rishi decides that he needs to take drastic action.

With orders going unfulfilled and Priya missing meals to keep up with the workload, Rishi vows to sort out the mess by calling on Nikhil's assistance.

"Jai is out of control," says Bhasker Patel, who plays the patriarch of the Sharma clan. "Rishi thought that Priya could maybe take over, but now that she's skipping meals, he realises that the pressure is too much. He can't afford to lose both his son and daughter."

One secret phone call later and Rishi is being reunited with son Nikhil and granddaughter Molly. But can he convince Nikhil to stick around and help sort out the trouble?

"Rishi doesn't know whether Nikhil will stay for more than a few weeks. He has his own hotel business, which is expanding into Europe. So, in the end, it's going to be his choice."

But regardless of whether Nikhil stays or goes, Rishi seems set upon shaking things up in the workplace. Thanks to a legal loophole, he's able to sack Jai - but does he risk causing a major split in the family if he installs Nikhil as the factory boss instead?

"Well, Jai is not only bringing shame on his family, he's killing himself too," explains Patel. "Sometimes, you have to disown someone to make them realise that they have to sort themselves out."

But it's heartening to know that despite the power struggles playing out on screen, Patel couldn't be happier to see the Sharmas back together again:

"I'm really enjoying Rik being back. He's brought a breath of fresh air and there's a new energy. Following his time in the theatre, his approach to acting is totally different.

"For any actor, it's good to go away and do something else because you end up bringing something new to your character and your scenes. And to have the whole family working together is very nice. That's when the Sharmas are strong."

Source:
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-...ne-is-revealed

[Debzyg]

I love the fact Nikhil is back. I don't think he'll stay permanently but it will be good to see him back. He was the only Sharma I liked (although I do think Rishi is a nice chappy)

[lizann]

also he still hasn't forgiven debbie which is good make her pay nikhilly

[tammyy2j]

Rik Makarem has revealed that he isn't returning to the show on a permanent basis.

The actor arrives back on screen as popular character Nikhil Sharma this week after two years away from the ITV soap.


Nikhil is called back to the village by his father Rishi, who is desperate to get the family business back on track. Nikhil's brother Jai has recently caused problems at the sweet factory due to his drug habit, leaving everyone else to pick up the pieces.

Confirming that Nikhil will only be in the village for a guest stint, Makarem explained: "There is a specific reason for Nikhil returning and we'll see how that plays out, but I'm really happy with the storyline. It was absolutely the right decision to be involved in a very successful phase in the show.

"I can only congratulate Emmerdale for how well it's done and hopefully I can match the standard that other people have set!"

Makarem has enjoyed success away from Emmerdale with a number of theatre roles in the past two years.

His return as Nikhil will allow fans to see a new side to the character, who has changed thanks to his business achievements in Canada.


"What we all loved Nikhil for was that he had a tendency to let his OCD come out, but now we've softened that a little bit," Makarem commented. "What we saw was that under moments of high stress, that disorder would really manifest itself. While he's been away, Nikhil has learned how to be a single father and perhaps he's now got a handle on that.

"He's definitely returning as a much more grounded and strong individual. He's also not as rigid as he was before. That was a wonderful quality to play back then, but there has to be this development.

"What I'm really thrilled about is that Emmerdale's producer Kate Oates has allowed Nikhil to take a leadership role in some of the scenes and the storylines. When we revisit Nikhil on screen, that will be quite evident."

Despite the change, there's also a chance that Nikhil's progress could be thwarted as the village holds so many bad memories due to the tragic death of his wife Gennie.


Makarem said: "Nikhil's return opens up a door of many different emotions. It resurrects his feelings about Gennie's death, but also his angry feelings towards Debbie. Potentially that could be traumatic.

"It's also a shock to him when he finds out the news about Jai's drug habit, but his first impression is that the family can sort it. He would rather avoid being part of this family trauma, so that he doesn't have to deal with his own conflicts and history in the village."

[Telly Watcher]

Rik Makarem: It's great to be back on Emmerdale – I feel like I've developed as an actor

What's on TV, Friday, 30 October 2015, 10:09am

Emmerdale’s Rik Makarem tells Soaplife how Nikhil’s flying visit home from Canada turns into a longer stay…

What has Nikhil been up to in Canada?
“He has built up an empire of hotels and is doing very well. I think he had to move away from the nest in order to flourish. He has carved out a new life for himself and [daughter] Molly and has managed to move on.”

Is it hard for him to return to the village?
“It is because he was able to block out memories of his wife Gennie’s death while he was away. He had a coping strategy and now we will have to see if he is able to remain strong while he is in the place where she was killed.”

Has Nikhil changed?
“He has. He used to let his OCD come out, but that isn’t so pronounced now. I think being a dad has given him a reason to get a handle on that. He is much more grounded and less rigid than he was before.”

What does Nikhil think when Rishi says he wants him to take over at the factory?
“Nikhil is clearly the right man for the job, but he wants to stay in Canada and would rather avoid being part of this family drama. He would rather Priya took over, but the situation has got so bad, he has to stay.”

Even after being punched by Ross (Michael Parr)?
“That comes as a bit of a shock, but it is because he is having an argument with Debbie [Charley Webb]. Nikhil still thinks Debbie is responsible for Gennie’s death…”

Is he pleased that his daughter Molly is surrounded by family now?
“Absolutely. There has probably never been a right time to begin that process, but I think they have been in touch via Skype, etc. Nikhil is so used to looking after Molly on his own, I don’t think he realises how much of a help it could be to have family around.”

Are you pleased to be back?
“Of course, this is a wonderful show and it is in a great place at the moment. When I left, I felt there was nowhere for Nikhil to go, but I am thrilled about how he has changed and will be driving storylines and emotions.”

What has changed?
“I’ve changed in the two years I’ve been away. I’ve gone off and done a number of different projects and feel that I have developed as an actor. As for work – well, the canteen food is excellent now. I do love it when a sweet potato appears and they even have gluten free bread now.”

Who were you most pleased to see?
“Matthew Wolfenden [who plays David Metcalfe] and I are friends and I really enjoy working with him. Bhasker Patel [Rishi], Fiona Wade [Priya], Lesley Dunlop [Brenda], Chris Bisson [Jai]… It’s great to see everyone who is part of the Sharma family crew.”

Read more at:
http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/emmerdale...ed-as-an-actor

[lizann]

mirrortv teasing a nikhil ross feud, could be over debbie or jai causing trouble to get rid of his bro