How did acting happen to you?
"While
doing choreography, I realized that this is the field I should be in.
My parents encouraged me to try out acting so I thought about it. I
always wanted to be an actor and the response of the people even
motivated me to get into the field of acting. So, in 2006 I started
giving auditions for Ads, Television and Films. In 2008 I bagged a role
in Arslaan which was my Television debut on Sony."
You were into choreography before entering the field of acting. What made you choose choreography?"I
started dancing before getting into choreography and I was inspired
from my sister Shikha. She was learning classical dancing and she used
to perform on stage. I used to go along with her for the shows and then
one day I thought that why can't I dance like her! One day on the
occasion of Teacher's day in my school, me and one of my friend decided
to perform. We performed on Humraaz's song 'Bardaasht' for our Teacher's
and got a very good response. I was in Std., 9Th that time
and it was the first time that I had performed on stage in front of all.
That is when dancing became the passion of my life. When I stepped into
college I got a chance to choreograph for my college festival and we
won it. Since then I started taking choreography seriously and I won
awards for dance in many festivals like Yuva, Malhar, Mood I, etc" You love martial arts. When did you get into this art form and why?
"Being
a dancer, I have always been attracted to all these things which are
related to physical exercise. I have learned gymnastics for 4 years in
my childhood days and I have also been a Karate student. I have recently
developed a keen interest towards Capoeira (a martial art form) and
learnt it from Baba Capoeira specialist. I feel quite lucky that I got
trained by the only trainer in India who went to Israel and learnt this
art form for 14 yrs then he returned back to India to spread this art
over here. I got to learn a lot from him and after Ramayan; I wish to continue learning this art from him."
Views on Episodics?
"Episodics
are like a film concept on TV. They are like niche cinema, and shot with
different cameras better than daily soap. In daily soaps, actors have lot of
time to get into the skin of the character, but with episodics since they are
on tight schedule, they get very little time to understand the characters.
Also, the characters in episodics one can relate to and are more
realistic."
One past incident that you would like to change?
"None. I don't think anyone wants to change anything in their past because that would change them as a person."
The last time you cried your heart out
"I don't cry a lot in my personal life but I've cried my heart out for my scenes. (laughs)"
How is Neil in real life?
"In real life I am a very simple
person and don't like complications. I am a hardworking person."
Your ultimate strength?
"I think it's my will power that keeps me strong."
How important is money to you?
"Money is very materialistic to me and therefore it's not that important"
What are your career plans?
"I want to see myself
as a director so I'm working towards it. But that does not mean I'm
leaving acting it's just a wish which I want to see being fulfilled.
Neil concedes that acting is inborn but yet admits that he did join
Namit Kapoor's Acting School to learn the technical aspects of acting,
because as he puts it succinctly, "If you do not have the talent, no one
on this earth can teach you how to act".
Something you have been longing to do or learn
"I've been really longing to learn the ancient martial art form
kalaripayattu and how to play the flute. With God's grace, I hope that I
will start learning soon."
One thing about you that nobody knows.
"I'm an
open book. There's nothing hidden about me. (Suddenly remembers) But
ya, I guess that few people really know that I've also been an athlete.
I've won accolades at the Inter- state level as well."
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jHGIe63sHns[/YOUTUBE]
A holiday you'll never forget
"I will not forget my holiday in Goa . Actually, I love that place so I think whenever I go there I shall love it more"
Share some fitness tips that you follow.
"The
most important tip is, go to bed early and make sure you get eight
hours of sleep. Stay away from smoking and drinking. It is a
misconception that smoking and drinking relieves tension, just avoid it."
Edited by nneeiill - 9 years ago
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