Bollywood has its fair share of heartthrobs, and Neil Nitin Mukesh was definitely one of them! From stealing hearts with his brooding looks to delivering some power-packed performances in New York, Johnny Gaddaar, and Players, this star had it all. But, even after two decades in the industry, Neil is still out here, sliding into DMs, hoping for a role.
Bollywood Blues: Neil Nitin Mukesh Still Hustling For Roles
In a recent tell-all interview, Neil spilled the beans on how, despite being a Bollywood’s season actor, he still finds himself texting filmmakers, reminding them that he exists. Talking to Hindi Rush, the actor revealed, “I still message people, asking for work. They reply immediately and say, ‘Yes, Neil, we’ll keep you in mind and will let you know if something comes up.’ It is my duty to remind them that I exist.”
Gone are the days when only a couple of star kids made their debut every few years – now, there’s a fresh face every other Friday! Neil shared, “When I debuted, perhaps only a couple of newcomers would be launched every two or three years. But now, a newcomer is launched every other week. As a result, you are reduced to just an option,” he said.
From Leading Man To ‘Just An Option’?
Neil understands that in Bollywood, visibility is key, but there’s a fine line between staying relevant and being overexposed. He admits that the industry is a business, and while he might not guarantee box office blockbusters, he sure has the talent to deliver hits. “This is a business. You have to be visible, but not too visible. Perhaps my skin tone doesn’t suit the kind of films being made today. Maybe casting directors think I don’t fit into rural roles because everyone says I look like a Hollywood star. But I am desi at heart. I believe I could have done those roles. So it hurts when people make such statements, but Sangharsh ke saath maine dosti kar li hai (I’ve made peace with the struggle),” he said.
Why Neil Won’t Call Up His Cousin For A Gig?
Did you know Neil’s cousin is none other than Bollywood’s top casting director, Shanoo Sharma? So why not just hit her up for a role? Well, Neil believes in earning his place in the industry the hard way. He believes that Shanoo has built her brand with hard work, and it’s unfair for hi,m to ask her for a shortcut. If YRF thinks he fits a role, they’ll call him. No nepotism required.
Despite working with some of the biggest names in the industry, the 7 Khoon Maaf star says the grind never stops. He even recalled how people suggested setting his debut film on fire because they thought it wouldn’t see the light of day. But Neil didn’t back down, and that’s how he made it here today!
What’s Neil Nitin Mukesh Up To Now?
While Bollywood may be playing hard to get, Neil is keeping busy. His latest project, Hisaab Barabar, a satirical action-comedy directed by Ashwini Dhir, saw him team up with R. Madhavan, Kirti Kulhari, and Rashami Desai. The film, which exposes corruption through a railway ticket checker’s journey, is currently streaming on ZEE5.
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