Tollywood scripts excite me the most: Neil Nitin Mukesh

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has steadily built a presence in the south film industry with projects like Kaththi, Kavacham and Saaho, and is now gearing up for the Sundeep Kishan-starrer, MaayaOne. In a conversation with Hyderabad Times, Neil reflects on his Telugu journey and the strength of Tollywood scripts. Excerpts:

‘Reaching out to the audience matters more than the language’

Neil admits he was initially apprehensive about acting in other industries, but that uncertainty soon gave way to confidence. “As an actor, I was initially quite nervous about working in languages other than Hindi. But very soon I realised that language isn’t really a barrier for an actor. It’s about reaching out to the audience and communicating through one’s craft. I was fortunate that my first Tamil film, Kaththi, was with AR Murugadoss, and the appreciation it received gave me a lot of confidence. That experience encouraged me to explore Telugu cinema, starting with Saaho and then Kavacham. Each project helped me grow more comfortable with the language and the culture. I can’t say I’ve mastered it yet, but I’ve definitely picked up the knack of understanding it, and every time I return to Hyderabad, I find myself learning a few new words.”

‘You can’t have a big hero without a big villain’

Having played layered villains and anti-heroes throughout his career, Neil says those experiences have shaped his appreciation of Tollywood’s writing. “For me, the real stars of south cinema, especially in Tollywood, are the stories, the writing, and the screenplays,” he says.

“When you play a villain, you already know you’re preparing for a downfall. At the end of the day, the villain has to lose, take the beating, and fall. That’s the biggest sacrifice. But it also means you put in more energy to make sure the hero’s rise feels even greater. They build powerful antagonists because they know if you don’t have a big villain, you can’t have a big hero. And Tollywood scripts support that beautifully,” Neil explains.

‘South cinema has always pushed boundaries’

Neil believes experimentation has long been intrinsic to the south film industry’s storytelling ethos. “If you look at films like Eega or Baahubali, they were truly experimental for their time. Even earlier, you had films like Appu Raja. From both a script and storytelling perspective, this industry has consistently pushed boundaries,” he says.

On what defines its appeal, Neil adds, “Cinema is meant to be larger than life, to entertain and create a world of make-believe. MaayaOne reflects that ethos, as well. It has an exciting blend of technology with a strong human core, balancing spectacle with heart.”