Man of Mystery: Neil Nitin Mukesh

The laid-back Neil Nitin Mukesh is known for taking the unconventional route in Bollywood, and has given us something to chew on with movies like ‘Johnny Gaddaar’, ‘Lafangey Parindey’, ‘Tera Kya Hoga Johnny’ and the most recent ‘David’. His choices have been just as unconventional as that of fellow actors Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan, only darker. Having worked with seven national award winning directors, the 31-year-old actor is currently busy with the promotions of his latest film, ‘3G’, a psychological thriller. More from Mukesh about his dark movies and his real life role as musician:

3G

I play Sam, a man who lands in Fiji with his girlfriend whom he intends to marry. He loses his mobile phone and gets a second hand phone. When he activates 3G on his phone, he begins to get weird messages, and an MMS that leads to some unforseen events. No one knows if he is possessed, has a split personality, is mad, is schizophrenic, or is a vampire.

On horror films

This is my first horror film and I am doing this for my father and my four-year-old nephew, Shairine. My dad and I love watching horror movies together. And my nephew would say ‘Mujhe mamu ki danger wali film dekhni hai’. My earliest memory of a horror film would be movies by the Ramsay brothers.

We think horror should have a bhoot (ghost), chudail (witch) or some ajeeb shaktiyan (strange powers), but horror could be something a human being creates. After watching movies with dad we would sit and discuss it.

Turning composer

I love being tagged as the one who does serious roles. Nobody else does these roles and I know I am creating my own audience. All my characters have so many layers and shades, I like it, but they are opposite to what I am in real life. When I go toy shopping with my nephew, I end up buying more toys for myself.

I will be turning composer for my film ‘Faridar’, a revenge love story. I play the piano during my free time and have composed eight songs. They are always romantic.

‘3G’ is scheduled to release on March 15.