‘I wanted to explore other aspects of filmmaking’: Neil Nitin Mukesh turns producer

Neil Nitin Mukesh has got two new roles to play. The actor has turned producer and also a father. “I’m completely in love!” he exclaims about his daughter Nurvi, who was born last month. As for venturing into production, he states, “It’s been 12 years in the industry and I have always believed that creativity has no boundaries. I’m just exploring a new aspect.” The 36-year-old talks about his choice of films and the biggest film of his career, Saaho, among other things. Excerpts...

Bypass Road is your first production and your brother Naman’s directorial debut...

Naman has learnt filmmaking and worked with Abbas-Mustan and Bejoy Nambiar. I was quite certain that he would get into direction. As luck would have it, I was writing Bypass Road and he was actively involved in it. So, it had to be this one. For the first few days, I was more nervous about him turning a director than he was (laughs). My protective instincts kicked in because I have been a father figure to him. But he handled all the departments so confidently that my inhibitions were laid to rest soon.

As for me, I had been working as the director of entertainment for the banner that produced Madari (2016). So, I wanted to turn a new leaf and get into other aspects of filmmaking. As an actor, I will follow instructions because it’s the producer’s call and the director’s vision. But, as a producer as well as an actor in the same project, I have more creative freedom and control.

How do you look at your career trajectory as an actor so far?

There have been a lot of ups and downs, but life has to have a graph; it can’t be a straight line. I have worked with some fine filmmakers like Vishal Bharadwaj, Sriram Raghavan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sooraj Barjatya and more. I’m grateful that I’ve sustained so far. 

Initially, people said I would probably not last too long because a singer’s grandson and son becoming an actor was a major question mark. I’m glad I’ve been able to carve a niche for myself, no matter how small it is. At least people know of my existence a little bit and I am happy and proud of that. It’s tough to get the roles you want, but I look forward to it in future.

Your choice of films, right from your debut movie Johnny Gaddaar (2007), has been unconventional. Is that deliberate?

I’m not trying to be rebellious in the way I have moulded my career so far. It’s just that it comes instinctively to me. No one would have expected that kind of a debut as most prefer going the conventional way — playing a good guy and doing the singing and dancing routine. I have always tried to maintain the niche. I’ve been choosy and I’m not too sure if that has taken me on the path of success. But as far as creative satisfaction goes, I’m more than happy to have done an array of roles in films like David (2013), 7 Khoon Maaf (2011), Indu Sarkar (2017), and so on.

Tell us something about your upcoming projects...

I have Saaho coming up, which is the biggest film of my career. It’s being shot on a humongous scale. I have been filming for it for the past one year and it will continue for some time. In the interim, I managed to complete Firkee and am almost done with Bypass Road.

The biggest film of your career has come more than a decade after your debut. Has the wait been too long?

Well, I have been part of big productions like Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), Golmaal Again (2017) and also AR Murugadoss’ Tamil film Kaththi (2009). Actually, New York and Johnny Gaddaar were very big films for me at the beginning of my career. People still remember me for my debut. But, yes, I’m super impressed with director Sujeeth. He is just 26 and is handling a mammoth film like Saaho so efficiently.

How’s fatherhood treating you?

I’m completely in love with Nurvi and I have become a kid myself (laughs). A certain amount of responsibility has suddenly kicked in. I’m nervous, excited... it’s all mixed emotions. I was a hands-on brother, uncle and now dad. My wife (Rukmini Sahay) was quite shocked that I could look after a baby so well.