In his next, ‘3G’, Neil NitinMukesh once again plays a darkcharacter. From ‘Jail’ (2009) to’Johnny Gaddaar’ (2007), ‘SaatKhoon Maaf’ (2011), ‘Players'(2012) and recently ‘David’, Neilseems to have found his callingin such characters.While co-directors ShantanuRay Chhibber and SheershakAnand refuse to divulge details,they both agree that the actor isa natural when it comes to negativecharacters.Says Sheershak, “He plays asoftware engineer who transformsinto someone dark, edgyand menacing. The role requiredNeil to transformphysically to look the part. Wetried a few things and he suggestedthat he apply kajal to getthe look right.We added the slick gelled hair,leather clothes, a black palette,goth symbols and a earring tohis look.”Adds Shantanu, “Playing darkcharacters is Neil’s forte. Hiscomplexion might be fair, but heplays grey shades very well. Hehas got this evil streak, which hebrings out while playing theseroles, even though he is verysweet and affectionate in reallife.”The actor admits that he isattracted to this genre of roles,but that’s also because there islittle challenge on the way. Hesays, “I like doing dark and edgyfilms because very rarely doactors get a chance to show theirskills.Everyone is busy doing slapstickroles in tried-and-tested boxofficeformula films. Thesecharacters give me the space todo something different.”Having said that, Neil does addthat he is not focusing on darkcharacters alone. “My next is a very old-schoollove story called Ishqeria. I amlike a chameleon. Give me astrong role and I will change forit.”
