Shortcut Romeo one step ahead of Johnny Gaddaar: Neil

Actor talks about finding the right role for himself.

MUMBAI:

Things seem to be going pretty well for actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, who made his debut in Bollywood with Johnny Gaddaar. It did well at the box office and was well received by critics, too. Neil was praised for his performance and the film on the whole, with its music, proved to be one of the audience’s favourite in 2007.

Though his following films did not do all that well including films like Players and Lafangay Parindey, he has received much appreciation from critics especially for his roles in movies such as Aa Dekhen Zara, co-starring Bipasha Basu, and Jail.

The actor says his forthcoming film Shortcut Romeo, in which he plays a negative character, is a chance for him to take the hatred and vengeance of his character in the 2007 film Johnny Gaddaar one step ahead.

In Johnny Gaddaar, Neil played Vikram, a member of a gang which runs a gambling club and conducts other underhand deals. In the film, his character goes to any extent to make money.

“For the last few years, I was in search of such a script that could carry me one step ahead of Johhny Gaddaar. Then I got a chance to meet Susi Ganeshan [director]. He told me about this story [Shortcut Romeo]. Then I felt that if I had to carry forward the character of Johnny Gaddar, Shortcut Romeo is the film [for me],” Neil said in an interview.

In Shortcut Romeo, the aim of Neil’s character is to get rich in any way possible.

“Through this film, I can carry forward the look and style [mannerisms and character] of Johnny Gaddaar,” added the 31-year-old.

Shortcut Romeo is the remake of Ganeshan’s super hit Tamil film, Thiruttu Payle and also features Ameesha Patel and Puja Gupta. The film hits theatres on June 21.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2013.

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