Latest news with #JohnnyGaddar
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive! Neil Nitin Mukesh and Divya Khossla team up for a dark comedy thriller
Neil Nitin Mukesh and Divya Khossla will be seen together in the upcoming film Ek Chatur Naar. The movie marks the two actors first outing together. The dark comedy thriller is directed by Umesh Shukla , best known for Akshay Kumar-starrer Oh My God. The film, currently in its final leg of production, casts Neil as a grey and corrupt man and reportedly taps into the darker, more cerebral space he explored in Johnny Gaddar and Bypass Road. Divya, last seen in more conventional romantic roles, such as Yaariyaan 2 takes on what she calls 'an extremely difficult role." "I have tried to do an extremely difficult role, something audience has not seen me before," she adds. Divya was last seen in Savi. Neil chose to not comment on the story when we reached out to him. A source close to the project adds, "It is a revenge drama, whether Divya's character taking her revenge from Neil's character. It has the typical Umesh Shukla flavour in it as well." Earlier in an interview with us, Neil, who recently donned the producer's hat, spoke how he is keeping up with the current dynamics of the industry. 'We've come in an age and an era where social media has just taken over,' Neil told us. He revealed that makers are only looking for 'relevant actors and people with social media following'. 'I have been told by producers and filmmakers to up my social media game a little bit because the channel is requesting to get actors who have numbers. When I asked them, who are the other options that have been thrown around? I'm told people who aren't even actors. Are you ready to take that risk? You're demoralizing an actor who's worked so hard for so many years," he said.
India.com
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Neil Nitin Mukesh makes SHOCING revelations about the industry, says,' I was told my career was over after…'
Neil Nitin Mukesh makes SHOCING revelations about the industry, says,' I was told my career was over after…' In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, the career trajectory of an actor depends on many factors. While some feel that it's the actor's luck, others feel it is also bias and favoritism that may make or break an actor's career. The dazzling industry is unfair and doesn't work the same way for everyone. While one actor would keep getting new projects even after delivering back-to-back flops. Another actor may not be given enough chances after failing at the box office once or twice. Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh recently addressed this issue in an interview and spoke about the favoritism that prevails in the industry. Neil Nitin Mukesh is a celebrated actor who made his debut in 2007 with Sriram Raghavan's film Johnny Gaddar. The thriller hit gold at the box office, and Neil, with his strong performance, quickly captivated everyone's attention. Another film that rose him to fame was Kabir Khan's New York. The film also featured John and Katrina Kaif in the lead. Besides this, Neil has also appeared with Salman Khan in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which is also critically and commercially acclaimed. However, besides delivering some superhits, he doesn't feel that he has been given the right opportunities that other actors get, even after delivering multiple flops. Recently, in an interview, Neil openly shared that the industry's parameter of judging an actor's success is solely based on box office numbers. However, he is of the view that if an actor is playing a significant role but isn't in the lead, they will often be overshadowed. 'If I'm a part of a successful film, I deserve to be seen as part of that success. But the credit always goes to someone else,' he said. However, he also emphasises the double standards when it comes to films not making numbers at the box office. 'If a film doesn't do well, the blame falls on everyone involved, especially the actors. But when it succeeds, only a select few are celebrated,' he said. Speaking about the superhit success of New York, he emphasised that it wasn't just a John Abraham or Katrina Kaif film, it was a collective effort involving actors like Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Speaking of bias, he also said. 'Many actors give back-to-back flops and still get handed Rs 100 crore films for a comeback. But if two of my films don't work, people tell me to sit at home. They say my career is over. That's not fair,' Neil's remarks on industry reality talk about the harsh truth behind the dazzling world of Bollywood.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Neil Nitin Mukesh reveals Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na was offered to him: ‘Was asked to choose between this and Johnny Gaddaar'
Jaane Jaane Na turned out be a dream debut for actor Imran Khan but do you know the film was first offered to Neil Nitin Mukesh? Neil recently revealed in an interview that he was offered the film but with a caveat. (Also read: Neil Nitin Mukesh says many in the industry celebrate when a film doesn't work, admits it has become 'toxic') In conversation with Just Too Filmy, Neil said that producer Jhamu Sugandh offered him both Johnny Gaddaar and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na on the same day but asked to choose one. 'I loved Jaane Tu… It was a love story, and that was the trend," Neil said. However, the actor wasn't comfortable with people calling him a "chocolate boy" hence he went for a more uncoventional, darker role which led him to choose Sriram Raghavan's Johnny Gaddaar. The New York actor further said, "Jaane Tu… was destined for Imran. It was an honour that I even got to read the film. I will never say that I rejected Jaane Tu… I didn't have the honour of working on that film. If I had the privilege of working on both, I'd eat both of them and give my 100 percent but unfortunately for me, I couldn't work on Jaane Tu." Directed and written by Shriram Raghavan, Johnny Gaddar was a neo-noir crime thriller which marked Neil's debut and earned him rave reviews. Produced by Adlabs the film also starred veteran actor Dharmendra Zakir Hussain, Rimi Sen, Vinay Pathak, Govind Namdeo, Dayanand Shetty and Ashwini Kalsekar. The film was a sleeper hit and received critical acclaim too. Neil will next be seen in Hai Junoon! Dream. Dare. Dominate, an upcoming musical drama television series directed by Abhishek Sharma. Produced under Jio Creative Lab, it also stars Jacqueline Fernandez. The series is scheduled to premiere on 16 May 2025 on JioHotstar.
India.com
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Neil Nitin Mukesh calls Bollywood toxic, says he is still struggling to...
Bollywood's handsome hunk, actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, is currently in the news for his upcoming web series Hai Junoon. He is busy promoting it. Meanwhile, the actor has revealed the dark side of Bollywood. He called the Hindi film industry toxic and spoke about how the downfall of others is often celebrated. Neil talked about everything from his name and entry into the industry to the mindset of people. Let's tell you what he said. Neil Nitin Mukesh, in his recent interview with Indian Express's Screen, spoke about the film industry as well as his career. The actor, who made his debut with Johnny Gaddaar, has been a part of more than 31 films so far. Speaking about his journey in Bollywood, he said it was difficult to survive. He revealed it can get a little toxic too. The actor said, 'I got so scared with that statement. My first film, Johnny Gaddar, got stuck. Sometimes you don't realize that your break is self-doubt, which you have not put in yourself; others have put it in you. People say things like you won't be able to do this. It is the one thing you will constantly keep hearing, and I have heard it so many times. Any time there is a lull, people will say he is over. But who are they to decide? I am still here, still working, trying to feed my family.' He added, 'It does happen, and it happens to a point where it gets toxic. I have seen that a lot, and I still see that a lot. I don't like that conversation. For me, an industry is like my family, at least I used to feel that. If I work or I am hoping to work with somebody, aren't we all a part of the same fraternity? Isn't it our job to call up each other and laud the work? But those phones never come, unless the person is extremely close to you. On your face, nobody will say that.' Neil Nitin Mukesh recalled a really harsh comment by a film critic. He said, 'Once very long ago on Twitter, one of my films was coming, and a very reputed critic then wrote in his opening sentence that he wondered how someone was paying Neil Nitin Mukesh even now for a job. I responded to him that I didn't need his validation to work hard, prove myself, and provide for my family. My entire industry stood by me back then. But that day I lost it with those self-proclaimed critics and understood that the voice everyone has gotten with social media has changed.'
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Neil Nitin Mukesh reveals that the film industry can get very ‘toxic': ‘Everyone is certainly frustrated'
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh is currently gearing up for the release of his debut web series, Hai Junoon. While the show marks his entry into the digital space, Neil has been part of several noteworthy films. However, he has also experienced a side of the industry that many hesitate to talk about. In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, Neil opened up about his journey in cinema, navigating career setbacks, and shed light on the often-overlooked beauty standards that men face in showbiz. Revisting the time people said 'he is over', Neil shared, 'At the beginning of my career, someone had told me to never wish to take a break, because then a time will come where you will keep hunting for work. I got so scared with that statement. My first film, Johnny Gaddar, got stuck. Sometimes you don't realize that your break is self-doubt, which you have not put in yourself; others have put it in you. People say things like you won't be able to do this. It is the one thing you will constantly keep hearing, and I have heard it so many times. Any time there is a lull, people will say he is over. But who are they to decide? I am still here, still working, trying to feed my family.' Also Read: Neil Nitin Mukesh says Katrina Kaif 'had a problem with' his skin colour while filming New York, targeted him for laughing on set: 'We were enemies, there were fights' Pointing out the double standards of the industry, Neil Nitin Mukesh recalled the time when a film critic made a mean comment about him, and the industry backed him. He said, 'Once very long ago on Twitter, one of my films was coming, and a very reputed critic then wrote in his opening sentence that he wondered how someone was paying Neil Nitin Mukesh even now for a job. I responded to him that I didn't need his validation to work hard, prove myself, and provide for my family. My entire industry stood by me back then. But that day I lost it with those self-proclaimed critics and understood that the voice everyone has gotten with social media has changed.' Stating what has kept him going all these years, the actor added, 'Here we celebrate when a film doesn't work on a Friday. You are happier for someone's failure than for someone's success. When you are around that atmosphere, the only way forward is to have that passion and self-belief. I believe we should keep trying, even if it doesn't work out. Then there won't be any regrets.' While Neil Nitin Mukesh has faced his share of criticism in Bollywood, he admits that the journey has, at times, become toxic. He shared that it still continues, and said: 'It does happen, and it happens to a point where it gets toxic. I have seen that a lot, and I still see that a lot. I don't like that conversation. For me, an industry is like my family, at least I used to feel that. If I work or I am hoping to work with somebody, aren't we all a part of the same fraternity? Isn't it our job to call up each other and laud the work? But those phones never come, unless the person is extremely close to you. On your face, nobody will say that.' 'Back in the days of my father and grandfather, there used to be no inhibitions or agendas in friendships. Filmmaking used to be a different world. Mukeshji and Raj Kapoor sahab used to sit and make a film together. Raj Kapoor Sahab was such a stalwart filmmaker, his filmography is like my bible. He wouldn't need an editor like Rishikesh Mukherjee, still, he would go to Rishi Da to get his films checked. Here we hide, be it our look, our trailer, unless it is released. There is no finger pointing. What has happened is that everyone is certainly frustrated. Everyone hasn't tasted success fully. They have that little ambition in them, they haven't gotten that opportunity, and that has come into the system. Unfortunately, it's spreading as a norm of existence, which is not what it should be,' he added. Neil Nitin Mukesh also commented on how appearances often invite unsolicited remarks from others — something he clearly disagrees with. Talking about the struggle to change perceptions, the actor said, 'Today, there is so much body shaming that happens. There are actors who say, 'This guy should lose weight.' Why? Talk about the performance, na. For my role in Hai Junoon, I drastically lost weight, but after COVID, I gained weight. I had done Saaho and had to bulk up for it. When I lost weight for this role, people started asking me if I was suffering from some illness.' Don't Miss: Neil Nitin Mukesh says he is overlooked for roles because of his skin colour: 'Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan can get opportunities easily but…' He added, 'Looking a certain way is a handicap. It might be very good for your endorsements and self-confidence, but sometimes it's a perception that people create. Half the time we are battling, making you believe that we are worthy of being looked at from another perspective. Half the time, it's me just fighting it out, that don't go just by my skin tone or my goldie locks hair. I am more desi than anybody in this room. Sometimes seeing an artiste, I feel that I could have played the part better. But you don't get that chance.' 'You have stalwarts who have proved it in the past, like Kamala Haasan sir, who moulded himself so beautifully into such great characters. Today, even Shah Rukh sir pushes himself to mould into different avatars, a Hrithik Roshan is doing a Super 30 colours himself dark, Saif Ali Khan playing a Langda Tyagi. So sometimes, looks can be a handicap. Just because I have to come across as a thinking, method actor doesn't mean I have to be in rags,' Neil concluded. Neil Nitin Mukesh's latest web series Hai Junoon releases on May 16 on Jio Hotstar. The show also stars Sumedh Mudgal, Priyank Sharma, Jacqueline Fernandes, and Siddharth Nigam in important roles.
