Deep down we are all compulsive dreamers. Any attempt at suspending reality is encouraged, even lapped up. It's our escapist instincts that prompt us to enter the fantasy world that is brilliantly crafted by film-makers. And it's this alluring power of cinema that entices actors, even, to abandon their rather boring demure image for something more daring on-screen. Why else would the goody-goody Neil Nitin Mukesh, who has starved us of any murky controversy, affairs or break-ups, insist on playing grey characters on celluloid?
His notorious, yet diverse, Bollywood profile equates his dark desires. From having a dubious affair (in Johnny Gadar), misusing a camera that foretells the future (in Aa Dekhe Zara) and playing a guy who spies on his own friends (in New York) to a vulnerable prisoner (in Jail) and a robust guy who makes a living out of beating people up (in Lafangey Parindey), Neil's colourful on-screen personality does not match with his prudish self. "I think that's the challenge, the interesting aspect of being an actor. It's about pushing your boundaries," says Neil.
"These are things you can't do in real life. I like being bad on-screen, but off-screen, I'm a nice guy." He says it's his illustrious bloodline (he's son to famed singer Nitin and grandson of legendary singer Mukesh) that steps up the pressure of maintaining a clean public face. But that discipline doesn't dissuade him from shedding it on the pretext of cinema. "Basically, all the things I can't do in reality, I do it on-screen!"
Now, that doesn't mean Neil is a man without any vices. "There's a certain amount of pretence that I'd like to maintain. It keeps the intrigue value high. And it works for me." This explains his prankster role on the sets of Lafangey... "I've played pranks on almost everyone. Well, what can I say, I am a good actor (laughs)."
His penchant for action thrillers is undisputed. While most Bollywood actors pick mushy love stories for their debut, Neil preferred to rough it out. "I just find action interesting to do. It's something that you don't often do off-screen. So, I'd take the advantage of being an actor and do things that I don't usually get a chance to do."
Interestingly, Neil isn't as gung-ho about playing the soppy lover, a role he isn't playing in real life! "Romance is definitely interesting but it'd be even more interesting off-screen." Of late, he has made a few exceptions to the rule for films from the Yash Raj stable. When New York's Omar was jilted, Lafangey Parindey's One Shot Nandu won the girl. The latter, actually, presented Neil with just what the doc had ordered: a heady mix of action and romance. "It was a perfect package for me. It's got a great storyline, a beautiful co-star and a talented director like Pradeep Sarkar."
Despite the ideal setting, the ride did come with a few challenges. "It took a lot of time to make Lafangey... because the process started much before the filming. We had to attend a lot of workshops to train our diction, lingo, body language, fight sequences and skating. We wanted to make sure that we got the characters correct."
Barring slight references to Fight Club and Snatch, Neil insists Lafangey... is an original script. He emphasises how it's a slice-out-of-the-Mumbai-life, pitching Nandu as one of numerous fighters who struggle to make ends meet. "It's not fiction." He even digs out from personal experiences to flesh out Nandu. "I've observed the guys around my area, who are into bikes and street fights. I had to work on their lingo (tapori), and I was particular about making Nandu sound authentic."
In fact, Neil was cautious about not making Nandu stereotypical. "I didn't want him to look gimmicky, like a larger than life super hero. I wanted him to be real." Apart from piling on the kilos, Neil indulged in intense weight training. "I didn't want him to be so muscular that the vulnerability was lost. It's predominantly a love story, so there had to be a good balance between the tough exterior and the soft interior."
The fight sequences proved more dramatic. "Let's just say that after a few takes, we couldn't tell the real blood from the fake one!" Neil invested a lot of time perfecting his moves blindfolded. "I had to learn which direction the punches would come from and when it would land on me. It required a lot of co-ordination. Most often, I got them right."
Surprisingly, it isn't the fight sequences that proved the most difficult for him. "It was a scene that required me to stand on a mobile bike. It was scary. I mean, I know I'm no superman." Despite the occasional fear bouts, Neil did all the action stunts in Lafangey..., barring one. "There's just one lift-off that I didn't want to risk, so I asked another biker to do it."
In keeping with his courteous gentleman image, Neil waxes eloquent about his leading lady. "Deepika is great with her craft. She's constantly learning." He narrates an incident when he suggested a new scene, which required Deepika to fall face down, into a puddle of dirty water. "She didn't question it. She just went ahead and did it."
Apart from playing the lead guy, Neil also doubles as a make-up artist for the action stunts. "For most of her stunts, I did her make-up. In fact, I always do my action make-up."
For a guy who is unwilling to ape his peers, his take on the crazy rat race to stay at the top is refreshing. "You do your job and forget what position you are at. I think that's the only way you'd survive in this industry."
After Lafangey..., Neil's got his money on celebrated film-maker Vishal Bharadwaj's Saat Koon Maaf, Abbas Mastan's Italian Job remake and another untitled project.
So, while he might've skipped the musical track, chalked out by his erstwhile forefathers, Neil is hoping to make a pit-stop for music compositions. But, singing will be put to the back burner as a "mere hobby. It'd be difficult because there are so many professionally trained singers out there."
Neil might be living his dream on-screen, but off camera he's willing to go the extra mile to fulfil the dreams of his loved ones. And being the doting son he is, he gave his dad a merc on his 60th birthday. "It's his dream car. As a son, it is my duty to ensure all his dreams come true."
What can we say, he's got the cake and is eating it too. Living the perfect dream!
