Hero Noir

By Rinky Kumar

Published: Volume 15, Issue 11, November, 2007

Neil Nitin Mukesh thrives on his dark side

Neil Nitin Mukesh’s unconventional debut worked in his favour. “I wanted to be launched as a strong character rather than a hero, so I deliberately opted for Johnny Gaddaar.” The actor, who worked with Yashraj Films as an assistant director for four years, claims the biggest compliment has come from his father. “He told me he had started respecting me even more.” The actor who has been collecting his legendary grandfather, singer Mukesh’s memorabilia – visiting cards, walking stick and hats – since childhood, even donned one of his jackets for a train sequence in the film. The Hrithik Roshan look alike has signed a three-film contract with Adlabs and will be seen in Sudhir Mishra’s Tera Kya Hoga Johnny. The hunk, who plays the piano, keyboard, harmonium and guitar is not averse to playback singing for himself. After all, it’s in his genes.