I've known Deepika from the time she was seeing Ra

By Subhash K Jha

Tearing a page from his adopted-bhaiyya John Abraham's boyz' book of badmashi for four consecutive nights last week Neil Nitin Mukesh has been cruising the streets of Mumbai on a bike.

But while John likes to skid off on his foreign-made bike in the middle of the night for fun, Neil was doing it for a movie.

In Yashraj Films' new production directed by Pradeep Sarkar Neil plays a biker cruising the streets of Mumbai with co-stars KayKay Menon and Piyush Mishra..

Though the production unit tried to keep it a secret Neil seen shooting right through the night in various parts of Mumbai including Kings Circle, Ballard Pier, Marine Lines and the Asiatic Library.

Though the security bandobast at all the shooting spots was foolproof at Marine Lines a large group of oglers and hecklers surrounded Neil. Even as the security guards tried to fob off the unwanted mobs, matters got progressively sticky for Neil and he had to be whisked away from the venue.

Says Neil, "Luckily Yashraj's security arrangements are impeccable. We never knew there would be so many people on the streets post-midnight. Mumbai in the dead of the night was a new experience for me. This was the first time I was shooting on the streets of Mumbai since Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny."

Though Neil isn't revealing much about the role in Sarkar's film it's learnt that he plays a biker and has many dangerous biking stunts to perform. These never-before action scenes are being co-ordinated by action director Shyam Kaushal.

Neil has apparently had several close shaves on the skidding wheels this week.

Laughs Neil, "I'm not telling you anything beyond the fact that our film is at the moment titled Production No 37. Don't ask me why. I don't think Yashraj has made 36 films.And yes my parents hear about me doing dangerous stunts they'll freak out."

Neil can't wait to work with Deepika Padukone. The two are paired together for the first time in Pradeep Sarkar's film.

"Deepika and I vibe very well. I've known her from the time she was seeing Ranbir Kapoor. We've gone out for dinner. Deepika and I have been rehearsing rigorously for this film for one month. She's a lovely co-star.I'm looking forward to working with her she starts shooting at the end of January."