Neil on a spiritual spree

Neil Nitin Mukesh works hard, and it seems, prays harder. In the first break that he took in his four-year-long career, Neil went temple hopping with his family.
He visited at least half a dozen temples, including the Shirdi Sai Baba in Nasik, the Dagdusheth Ganpati in Pune, the Salangpur Hanuman temple, Maa Amba temple and Dakor Krishna temple in Gujarat, as well as the Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra.Talking about his recently concluded spiritual trip to TOI (he returned home last Thursday), Neil said, “I haven’t taken a break in four years. Since we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at home, I thought this was perfect timing. After the release of “Lafangey Parindey” and before my next, I had ample time.”
That makes him sound quite religious, we tell him. “I believe that God’s definitely there; I don’t know whether that’s being religious or spiritual. But, the Mukeshes are very spiritual people. My mom and dad go to these temples every year, even my younger brother accompanies them. It’s after a long time that I could go with them.”
Now that he’s back, it’s just movies on his mind. Neil begins work on Abbas-Mustan’s “The Players”, an adaptation of “The Italian Job” in November. Neil says he’s “really looking forward to it”, while also awaiting the release of “Saat Khoon Maaf”. “I play the role of Priyanka’s youngest husband in “Saat Khoon Maaf”,” says Neil. Was the role of a husband unfamiliar territory? “It’s not that I’m 15 and I don’t identify with the role of a husband. Those emotions are quite natural,” he says. With these two flicks, Neil hopes he has enough reason to deny rumours that he does only negative roles. He says, “I hope I am never given a tag as an actor. Unfortunately, people think that I only do negative films, or my characters are negative. It’s not so at all.”
While movies continue, Neil is also focusing on a few passions – music, photography and skating. He’s planning shows to promote talented Indian skaters, while working on his music too. So, we enquire about him cutting a music album, and he says, “I’m working on it right now and figuring out the right way to do it. More than cutting an album, I’d like to cut a USB. It’s the time of technology.” He’s also into photography, and is now contemplating displaying his works. He says, “I’ve been spending so much time on photography lately that I’m ready to showcase some of it. By the end of the year, I may have a photo exhibition, and I may also come out with a coffee table book. People are helping me with that. Let’s hope it works out well.” Good luck, we say.
...And he visited:
Shirdi Sai Baba, Nasik
Dagdusheth Ganpati, Pune
Salangpur Hanuman temple, Gujarat
Shani Shingnapur temple, Maharashtra
Maa Amba temple in Ambaji, Gujarat
Krishna Temple in Dakor, Gujarat
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