At just 30 years old, Indian actress, entrepreneur, and model Parul Gulati has already worn many hats. Known for her work in Punjabi films and TV shows, Gulati has also made her mark as the founder of Nish Hair, a hair extensions brand that has empowered women across India. Now, Nish Hair has arrived in Dubai, a milestone for the actress who faced her share of struggles navigating societal beauty standards and career pressures in the entertainment industry.
In an industry obsessed with youth and perfection, Gulati, an up-and-coming Bollywood actor, found herself dealing with some tough realities. Having started her career at 17, by the time she was 23, she was being told she looked 'too old' and began facing rejections for roles—a harsh reminder of the industry's fixation on beauty standards.
Faced with diminishing opportunities, she resorted to drastic measures. 'I chopped my hair because I thought short hair would make me look younger. But then I was told that 'heroine hair' had to be long. It was so contradictory,' she says, laughing now but acknowledging the toll it took. Auditions came with stinging critiques. 'I’ve been told my nose is too big or my voice is too nasal. Some things are out of your control, like the shape of your nose. I felt so defeated,' she shares. Yet, it was this constant scrutiny that eventually spurred her entrepreneurial venture.
While searching for hair extensions to conform to the industry's beauty norms, Gulati realised how inaccessible they were. 'I was told the heroine has long hair,' Parul recalls. 'So, I started looking for hair extensions, but I couldn't find them easily accessible or affordable. Extensions were either exorbitantly priced or unavailable in most countries, including India. I decided to make my own, initially just for myself,' she says. Her creation quickly caught on. 'I genuinely thought I’d only cater to the industry, but then I realized the market for just actresses was small. So, I turned it into a mass-market brand,' she explains. Today, Nish Hair caters to diverse needs, from style to necessity.
Appearing on Shark Tank India marked a major turning point in Parul Gulati’s entrepreneurial journey. The platform gave her brand, Nish Hair, a massive boost in visibility and credibility, reaching audiences she never thought possible. 'Shark Tank helped me break into households I couldn’t have accessed through social media alone,' she shares. 'Men, who aren’t typically my target audience, started bringing their wives and sisters to check out my products. That kind of impact was incredible—it made Nish Hair a household name.'
Gulati’s entrepreneurial journey also gave her a new perspective on beauty and self-worth. 'By 24, I realised this cycle of trying to meet impossible beauty standards would never end. It was liberating to stop and say, 'This is how I choose to be.,' she says. Social media, she notes, has amplified these pressures for younger generations. 'It’s scary to think that pre-teens in Sephora are buying retinol because they think it’ll help them age better. Kids need to just be kids,' she says, expressing concern for the growing beauty obsession among teenagers.
Dubai was a natural next step for Nish Hair, given its diverse demographic. 'Indian and Pakistani audiences are concentrated here, and Arab women are also interested in these products. It’s a great mix. Plus, Dubai’s water is hard, which leads to hair thinning, so there’s a genuine need,' she explains. Her innovative hair toppers, designed to mimic natural scalps, have already garnered attention. 'People come to me even before the store officially opens to see this product,' she says with pride.
For Gulati, Nish Hair is more than just a brand—it’s a way to help women feel confident and empowered. 'I’m proud to be one of the first to openly talk about hair loss and actually offer solutions,' she says. But even with her achievements, she’s honest about having tough days. 'At 30, I’m way more confident than I was at 23, but I still have moments where I cry in a corner,' she admits with a laugh. While running Nish Hair keeps her busy, Gulati hasn’t left the entertainment world behind. 'I’m currently shooting for a web series, and one of my Punjabi music videos just released—it’s super exciting!' she shares.
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