Neha teams up with Naseer

It could be the most unusual combination, and Neha Dhupia thinks it was bound to be.

"I've always been a huge admirer of Naseeruddin Shah. But when Rajat Kapoor (of Mixed Doubles) offered me a film, and that too with an unusual title like Mithiya, I never knew who my co-star was going to be."

When Rajat dropped Naseer on me, it was like a dream come true. I must say he's one actor I was really looking forward to working with, one day. I didn't know it would happen so soon in my career."

Neha will play a gangster's moll in Mithiya. "Naseer plays the gangster. I play the moll. It should be an exciting combo, specially since I don't play the routine moll wearing lycra, etc. Rajat wants to give me an entirely retro look."

Incidentally, Naseer has repeatedly expressed his fondness for Rajat Kapoor. He even agreed to do a walk-on part in Kapoor's Mixed Doubles.

Chupke tales

Says Neha, "What's really exciting about doing this film is that it takes me so far away from anything I've done so far, and so far from my own personality. My friends say there's a lot more of me in Chupke Chupke than in any other role. They say I'm stubborn and rigid, just like the girl I play in Chup Chup Ke."

Neha says she loved working with Kareena in Chup Chup Ke. "I can't say we're now the best of friends. I generally shy away from film friends. But Kareena and I got along really well. We go to the same gym. And we had loads of fun doing Chup Chup Ke. I guess that role was me to some extent. But Mithiya takes me far away from myself into never-never
land."

Why the unusual title? "I guess Rajat wanted a mythological title to intrigue audiences. I like that bit of enigma. It goes a long way." The film to be produced by Planman (Delhi) goes on the floors on July 15.