RUSH HOUR

NEIL NITIN MUKESH TALKS ABOUT HIS OTT DEBUT, DOING DIVERSE ROLES AND BEING A FATHER IN A CANDID CHAT WITH SRIJANI ROY CHOWDHURY

- SRIJANI ROY CHOWDHURY

Neil Nitin Mukesh is finishing up another interview as I walk into the Jio office. This is the second time I’m meeting him. Our earlier interaction was with the entire cast of his debut OTT series Hai Junoon! It gives me a buzz when I realise he’s recognised me. Our eyes meet briefly, and we exchange a warm smile. Subtle, calm yet magnetic, he’s dressed casually in a shirt layered over a T-shirt and jeans. He slips between light banter and thoughtful reflection and he seems completely at ease at whatever the interviewer is asking him. We shake hands, and I break the ice by calling him one of the most handsome actors in the industry. “You're going to make me blush before we even begin,” he chuckles. What follows is a candid chat about his OTT debut, his love for layered characters and the constant tug-of-war between playing positive and negative roles. He opens up about working with Katrina Kaif in New York, his debut in Johnny Gaddaar and how he hasn't stopped choosing roles with depth. Neil even shares heartfelt stories about his family’s legacy and his daughter, Nurvi. Excerpts...

Congratulations on your OTT debut Hai Junoon!

It’s nice to hear the word debut again. Around 2021-2022, I was offered over a dozen scripts from various platforms and filmmakers. I assess projects based on the story, my character, and how central the role is. Many shows felt repetitive, with similar themes. With limited platforms, it’s hard to distinguish content. The web offers creative freedom, so why stick to conventional storytelling? Not claiming