Neil Nitin Mukesh hasn’t met father Nitin Mukesh in over two months due to lockdown; daughter Nurvi, two scripts have kept him occupied
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 4, 2020)

Since the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown was announced, residing in his Mumbai apartment with wife Rukmini, daughter Nurvi and a nanny, Neil Nitin Mukesh’s work-day begins after he is done playing with his year-and-a-half-old moppet. “After lunch, it is time to resume writing,” the actor says, pointing out that since his 2007 debut with Johnny Gaddaar, he has had at least two releases every year. “But I don’t know about 2020, unless Firrkie comes directly on OTT.” The film, co-starring Jackie Shroff and Karan Singh Grover, was to arrive in cinemas this year.

Work-related uncertainties aside, Neil is happy to be home with Nurvi. “I was away on a 45-day shoot of Bypass Road when Rukmini’s due date was approaching. And although I made it back just in time for the delivery, I always felt that there was a gap to be bridged,” he admits, adding that the toddler is quite attached to him now. “Whenever I wear a mask, she realises I am going downstairs and starts crying.”

Nurvi herself is amassing a fan-following with videos of her dancing, which routinely pop up on her actor-father’s social media. “She is very energetic and had started running just before the lockdown happened. I feel bad that there are no open spaces for her to run right now. But one day, I noticed her responding to music and now, she dances twice a day to expend all the energy,” the actor shares, adding that Rukmini and he used to join her in the beginning but not any longer.

Neil misses his veteran singer-father Nitin Mukesh. Despite being in the same city, they haven’t met in two-and-a-half months. “He was advised to live separately as he is a senior citizen but we’re constantly in touch over the phone. On Saturday nights, the whole family connects virtually to jam together. I am a complete daddy’s boy. Since Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) uncle’s demise, he has been feeling low. I am trying to keep his spirits high. We’re each other’s anchor, I worry about him on a daily basis,” the actor confides.

Steering back to the writing, Neil informs that he has finished penning a web series and is on the final draft of two stories—a murder mystery and a thriller. “The latter will be directed by my brother Naman. I have written all the scripts keeping myself in mind but I am not averse to having other actors play the parts if need be,” he says.

On the acting front, he was to start work on two projects, set in London and Goa respectively, which have been pushed. “Now, we aren’t sure if we will even get permission to shoot there,” he sighs. Nonetheless, Neil is happy with his body of work and points out a unique feat. “I may be the only actor to have worked with two generations of several families—Dharam ji (Dharmendra in Johnny Gaddaar) and Bobby (Deol in Players), Abhishek (in Players) and Amitabh Bachchan sir (in Wazir), Shakti Kapoor sir (Vijay), as a child actor and Shraddha (Saaho), and Anupam Kher (Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Indu Sarkar) and Sikander (Players),” he points out, adding that he has also worked with almost 12 National Award-winning directors, including Yash Chopra (Vijay), Abbas-Mustan (Players), Sooraj Barjatya (Prem Ratan Dhan Payo), Pradeep Sarkar (Lafangey Parindey), Sriram Raghavan (Johnny Gaddaar), Kabir Khan (New York), Sudhir Mishra (Tera Kya Hoga Johnny), Vishal Bhardwaj (7 Khoon Maaf) and Madhur Bhandarkar (Jail, Indu Sarkar), in his career.

He forayed into South films with A R Murugadoss’s Kaththi, which will soon get a Hindi remake with Akshay Kumar. Has he been approached to reprise his part? “We have been discussing it. Considering the current situation, I will request them to take me so that I find some work to do,” Neil laughs.

Any plans for turning director? “I will definitely do it, but I can’t set a deadline. If I feel a story needs to be told, and I need to direct it, I won’t hold back. For now, I have two-three stories that I will start developing soon,” the actor signs off.

Playing baddie in Saaho, Neil Nitin Mukesh on fearing the worst when the film was delayed
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 19, 2019)

Thrilled as he is to be part of one of the biggest films of Indian cinema, Neil Nitin Mukesh says Saaho has had a long journey from the conceptualization stage to the big screen. A chance meeting with director Sujeeth at an awards gala set the ball rolling. "A few days after the awards function, he met me for the narration of Saaho. I loved the way he had envisioned the film and my character and instantly said yes. This was around the time that Baahubali [2015] was about to release. After it became a massive hit, we had to wait for over two years because Prabhas had to shoot for the second film. Even though I did other films during this period, my only worry was that I might be replaced in Saaho as many actors had changed. Fortunately, Sujeeth kept his word," smiles the actor, who plays the baddie in the actioner.

He counts the role among one of his "most physically demanding" since it boasts of several high-octane action sequences. "The shooting of Saaho took longer than I expected. At the same time, I was also filming my home production Bypass Road, for which I had to lose weight. So the fluctuation in the body weight was difficult."

Having collaborated with Prabhas for the first time, the actor says sharing screen space with the South superstar was an enriching experience. "Despite his success, Prabhas is so down-to-earth. While shooting in Abu Dhabi, he came to know that my wife [Rukmini] was expecting. He came to specially meet her and got her many gifts. That was sweet of him."

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 10, 2019)

He was last seen as the villain in Golmaal Again (2017) and now two years down the line, Neil Nitin Mukesh will be back as the baddie, this time in the action thriller Saaho, headlined by Prabhas. The actor who had an unconventional launch in Johnny Gaddaar, has played characters with an edge in most of his films. He also has worked with the best of filmmakers from Sriram Raghavan to Vishal Bhardwaj, Sooraj Barjatya and Rohit Shetty in Bollywood and AR Murugadoss in the South, and yet his career trajectory doesn’t boast of many hits. He, however, has no complaints. “I have worked with 15 National-Award winning directors, and learnt a lot from them. Unfortunately, the films didn’t work. That doesn’t mean the choices were wrong. There is a lot of math behind a film. But I am happy, I am still surviving in this industry after 12 years,” he says. The 37-year-old talks about his upcoming film, working with Prabhas and playing the baddie.

How did Saaho come about?
Right after Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP), I was offered the Telugu film Kaththi by A R Murugadoss. At that time I was thinking that every actor needs one film to sharpen his skill set. When you are constantly working you lose your perspective. I wanted a challenge, speak and dub my own lines (in Telugu). It kind of took me back to school. Then I was at that phase of my career — PRDP did really well and Kaththi was a blockbuster — when I met Sujeeth (director of Saaho) at an awards function where I won the best actor in a negative role. We instantly connected as friends. One day he called to meet and gave me a narration of the film. I instantly jumped onto it. I found it lavish and intriguing. Around that time Baahubali 1 was releasing and Prabhas was in it. We knew it would have a Hindi release, so, it kind of made sense that Sujeeth was making Saaho in three languages.

What was it about the role that appealed to you?
My character is well-etched. Without giving much away, I can tell you it’s multi- layered. I needed to do this at this point of my career. There are certain perceptions about me and I like shocking the audience about what I am playing. From Johnny Gaddar to Saaho, I have switched as much as I can. Whether it was Wazir, Indu Sarkar, Players, Saat Khoon Maaf or David there were shades of grey in my character. Jai (his character) in Saaho is unpredictable. As much as you think he is planning something, you’ll see there is more than what meets the eye. The character is delicious and I liked to add to those layers to him.

Did you have to do any prep for the role?
The physicality and the body language was important. I had to be agile. For the role I had to look robust so I gained some muscle mass. However, at the same time I had committed to my production Bypass Road, which is directed by my brother Naman. In that film I play a paraplegic for which I had to lose weight and I didn’t know how long I would be shooting for Saaho, so that was the only stress.

You have established yourself as the antagonist now. Is that the way you want it to be?
I don’t really understand the bifurcation of protagonist and antagonist. For me it’s a character, however much we use that lingo in terms of discussing films. We have so many stalwarts like Rajini sir (Rajinikanth), Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha, who started their career as anti-heroes or played characters with grey shades. They have also pulled off great comedies and family dramas. I am open to all genres, but I find playing an antagonist interesting. It’s always a challenge to come up with a new approach to a grey character. I like being unpredictable. In the West several actors essay characters with a bit of an edge and it makes them intriguing. We don’t make those Alfred Hitchcock kind of movies or suspense thrillers where all characters are grey.

How was it working with Prabhas post his Baahubali success?
He is a darling. Yes, there was always this apprehension going on a set and facing the camera with Prabhas post Baahubali — How would he be? How would his approach be to his co-stars, etc. But, he is such a simple, down-to-earth person making all his co-stars comfortable. He gave me so much room to explore and expand my character. That is why in general people call him darling. I truly love him. My wife (Rukmini Sahay) was pregnant when we were shooting some action sequences in Abu Dhabi. I had just got to know Prabhas, but he came down to my room and got gifts for my wife. Every day there would be one phone call from him to find out if she is okay, and looked after. Who does this? Everyone is so self-absorbed. I learnt a lot from him. My father always says when a tree grows big it starts bowing down to earth. Prabhas is such a big star but he is more humble.

Have you thought of exploring the digital platform, which is the in-thing right now?
It is a great platform to explore different genres and scripts. The audience is used to great shows like Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. Here also there have been shows like Sacred Games and Typewriter which have been good. I would love to be a part of something where the maker is pushing the envelope. Right now, it’s not exciting me at all.

Neil Nitin Mukesh on his Saaho experience, his first home production and how he feels to be a new dad
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 29, 2018)

On September 20, Neil Nitin Mukesh and wife Rukmini became proud parents of a daughter whom they have named Nurvi, the goddess of love. “My father (singer Nitin Mukesh) suggested the name as she was born during the Ganpati festival and ‘Nurvi’ is also mentioned during the aarti. We also wanted to continue with the family tradition of having names beginning with N,” says the new daddy.

Has his night duty started? “Not yet, since the mother and daughter are still at Rukmini’s mother’s home. I’ve seen my mom go through the phase with my younger brother Naman and my sister with her kids, so I’m prepared. Rukmini is a hands-on mother,” he avers.

They will come home on Dhanteras, November 5 and Neil is busy putting the finishing touches to his daughter’s nursery. He admits it’s still hard to believe that he’s a dad now, but when he’s around Nurvi, it’s beautiful and he gets emotional.

Neil has been working continuously since Nurvi’s birth and is hoping for a brief paternity break once he wraps up Saaho, Bypass Road and Firrkie.

The first teaser of Saaho was released on Prabhas’s birthday, October 23, and Neil who plays a pivotal role in the film, is thrilled with the feedback. They’ve finished about 65 per cent of the film, the last few days of shoot will happen in December in Hyderabad. “The action is of Hollywood standards. I felt I was on the sets of Batman and Christopher Nolan was around somewhere waiting to say ‘action.’ Kenny Bates (who was also the stunt coordinator on Pearl Harbor, The Italian Job and Transformers) is one of the finest action directors I’ve worked with. His work is all about destruction, yet he is such a gentleman,” gushes Neil, bowled over by the action-packed chases. “A lot of cars were blown up and came tumbling towards us. One flip blew my mind. While it was being filmed, we were asked to stay far away from the location. I’d only seen such a flip on screen before,” he says with awe, applauding the team for it’s brilliance and safety measures.

He’s also all praise for Prabhas who, when he learnt about Rukmini’s pregnancy during the shoot in Abu Dhabi, came to her in their hotel room to congratulate her. “We had packed up early that day and Prabhas had to go somewhere else, but he cancelled that to come and see Rukmini with flowers and a gift hamper. He is such a gentleman and bliss to work with,” raves Neil.

Meanwhile his first home production, Bypass Road, is almost 70 per cent complete. He admits he was nervous initially as his younger brother Naman is making his directorial debut with the film. “I didn’t know he had this kind of maturity. It took me back to my Johnny Gaddaar days when people would wonder if I’d be able to pull off the film. My brother is a little bit of an introvert, but he knows his job,” says Neil, gung-ho about Naman’s handling of a difficult, high risk action sequence in the thriller-drama. “One wrong step and it’d have created havoc. But Naman held his ground. He’s far more mature and calmer than me,” he acknowledges.

Meanwhile, he’s started writing his next production, a very different script from the three he has written. “I can’t reveal the genre yet but it’s something we want to explore after Bypass Road. We’re not sure yet if I will act in it and if Naman will direct it. We’ll take that call once the initial draft is ready,” Neil signs off. 

Dhaval Roy (DNA; October 31, 2018)

Neil Nitin Mukesh has got two new roles to play. The actor has turned producer and also a father. “I’m completely in love!” he exclaims about his daughter Nurvi, who was born last month. As for venturing into production, he states, “It’s been 12 years in the industry and I have always believed that creativity has no boundaries. I’m just exploring a new aspect.” The 36-year-old talks about his choice of films and the biggest film of his career, Saaho, among other things. Excerpts...

Bypass Road is your first production and your brother Naman’s directorial debut...
Naman has learnt filmmaking and worked with Abbas-Mustan and Bejoy Nambiar. I was quite certain that he would get into direction. As luck would have it, I was writing Bypass Road and he was actively involved in it. So, it had to be this one. For the first few days, I was more nervous about him turning a director than he was (laughs). My protective instincts kicked in because I have been a father figure to him. But he handled all the departments so confidently that my inhibitions were laid to rest soon.

As for me, I had been working as the director of entertainment for the banner that produced Madaari (2016). So, I wanted to turn a new leaf and get into other aspects of filmmaking. As an actor, I will follow instructions because it’s the producer’s call and the director’s vision. But, as a producer as well as an actor in the same project, I have more creative freedom and control.

How do you look at your career trajectory as an actor so far?
There have been a lot of ups and downs, but life has to have a graph; it can’t be a straight line. I have worked with some fine filmmakers like Vishal Bhardwaj, Sriram Raghavan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sooraj Barjatya and more. I’m grateful that I’ve sustained so far.

Initially, people said I would probably not last too long because a singer’s grandson and son becoming an actor was a major question mark. I’m glad I’ve been able to carve a niche for myself, no matter how small it is. At least people know of my existence a little bit and I am happy and proud of that. It’s tough to get the roles you want, but I look forward to it in future.

Your choice of films, right from your debut movie Johnny Gaddaar (2007), has been unconventional. Is that deliberate?
I’m not trying to be rebellious in the way I have moulded my career so far. It’s just that it comes instinctively to me. No one would have expected that kind of a debut as most prefer going the conventional way — playing a good guy and doing the singing and dancing routine. I have always tried to maintain the niche. I’ve been choosy and I’m not too sure if that has taken me on the path of success. But as far as creative satisfaction goes, I’m more than happy to have done an array of roles in films like David (2013), 7 Khoon Maaf (2011), Indu Sarkar (2017), and so on.

Tell us something about your upcoming projects...
I have Saaho coming up, which is the biggest film of my career. It’s being shot on a humongous scale. I have been filming for it for the past one year and it will continue for some time. In the interim, I managed to complete Firrkie and am almost done with Bypass Road.

The biggest film of your career has come more than a decade after your debut. Has the wait been too long?
Well, I have been part of big productions like Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), Golmaal Again (2017) and also A R Murugadoss’ Tamil film Kaththi (2009). Actually, New York and Johnny Gaddaar were very big films for me at the beginning of my career. People still remember me for my debut. But, yes, I’m super impressed with director Sujeeth. He is just 26 and is handling a mammoth film like Saaho so efficiently.

How’s fatherhood treating you?
I’m completely in love with Nurvi and I have become a kid myself (laughs). A certain amount of responsibility has suddenly kicked in. I’m nervous, excited... it’s all mixed emotions. I was a hands-on brother, uncle and now dad. My wife (Rukmini Sahay) was quite shocked that I could look after a baby so well.

Neil Nitin Mukesh and his wife Rukmini welcomed their daughter on Thursday at a SoBo hospital
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 21, 2018) 

Neil Nitin Mukesh tied the knot with Rukmini Sahay in a traditional ceremony in Udaipur on February 9, 2017. This year, on April 23, the 36-yearold actor took to social media to share an image of a stork flying with a baby with the message ‘To be delivered soon’. His ‘Now we will be THREE’ further underlined the announcement that Rukmini was in the family way. On Thursday, the couple became parents to a baby girl.

Speaking to Mirror from a SoBo hospital, Neil said that he is relieved that he had wrapped up the ongoing schedule of his home production, a yet-untitled thriller directed by younger brother Naman, earlier that morning and had no other shoot to immediately report for. “I had an intuition, even Rukmini told me on Wednesday to be ready. I just wanted to be with her and cancelled all other commitments. Luck was on our side, we made it just in time,” he laughed.

He will return to work only on September 24, after the Ganpati visarjan on Sunday. Till then it’s just the three of them. “Rukmini will be at her mother’s place for a couple of days after she is discharged. I will obviously be visiting her often, I want to spend all my time with our baby,” Neil asserted, adding that fortunately he is shooting in Alibaug so whenever he gets a couple of hours off, he plans to take a ferry back.

Earlier, speaking to Mirror (August 27), Neil had confided that both Rukmini and he were excited about the baby and nervous too, praying that they would be good parents. Have they decided on a name for their daughter yet? “We haven’t but everyone in the family has a suggestion of their own. I think the name will eventually be decided by my father (singer Nitin Mukesh). We are all extremely happy and just want to celebrate the moment. This is the 25th year of Ganesh Chaturthi for the family and my baby has come as a blessing from Bappa,” the new father admitted emotionally, impatient to get back to the new love of his life.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 24, 2018)

Neil Nitin Mukesh and Rukmini Sahay who celebrated their first wedding anniversary in February have some more good news coming their way. Rukmini, who is currently with her actor-husband in Abu Dhabi, where he is shooting for the Prabhas-starrer Saaho, is pregnant and the due date is in September.

“We learnt of the pregnancy a few of months ago but wanted for things to settle in before making the news public. Previous trips to Abu Dhabi had been all about shopping for us, but this time it is entirely focussed on our baby. We are picking out things in neutral colours because we don’t know yet if it’s a boy or a girl. I just want to make sure that Rukmini is happy. We have been visiting all the maternity sections in malls and it’s amazing to see the tiny mittens and baby clothes. It’s overwhelming and exciting as well,” dad-to-be Neil said, adding that he will be shooting in the desert country for another 45 days.

Neil and Rukmini’s families are even more excited. “Mom and dad have been hands-on parents and will be fabulous grandparents. My mother has already brought out the cot for the baby that has been passed down for generations. She will guide Rukmini whenever she needs advice,” Neil informed.

Meanwhile, the mom-to-be, who is currently nearing the end of her first trimester, said, “Neil will be an excellent father just as he is a fantastic husband. He loves children. The family has been taking good care of me. We have been doing a spot of baby shopping for a few months now, apart from activities like meditation, yoga and music.”

Neil added, “She’s happy that everyone has been pampering her even more than before.”

Neil Nitin Mukesh teams up with Prabhas for a Hindi, Telugu, Tamil trilingual; promises it will be 2018’s biggest action film
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 22, 2017)

After featuring in Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo with Salman Khan and Bejoy Nambiar’s Wazir with Amitabh Bachchan and Farhan Akhtar, Neil Nitin Mukesh will next be seen in the Prabhas-starrer Saaho, directed by Sujeeth. The 35-yearold actor has already shot for the first schedule of the action thriller in Hyderabad.

“Saaho is a larger-than-life film and, post Baahubali, the entire nation is rooting for Prabhas. And where there is a mega hero, there will always be a mega villain too,” he smiles, adding that his character has many shades like every other character in the film. “It’s quite an exciting project, Sujeeth has a great vision. Saaho will be the biggest action film of 2018,” he says. The film will release in three languages, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Neil goes on to remind you that he has always experimented with his looks, whether it was in Vishal Bhardwaj’s 7 Khoon Maaf, Wazir or Madhur Bhandarkar’s upcoming Indu Sarkar. “It’s a never-seen-before avatar in Saaho too. We have just started shooting and there is still a long way to go. There’s a lot of action and we will start training for it soon. I have done action before, but this takes it to another level. International stunt coordinators are being flown down to design it,” he exults.

Quiz him about his co-star and he describes Prabhas as a superb actor, a people’s person and extremely humble. “He is also producing the film and it’s great to work with him and his team,” says Neil, who will be shooting in Mumbai, Abu Dhabi and Romania too.

Before that, Neil will be seen in Rohit Shetty’s Diwali release, Golmaal Again, also featuring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Parineeti Chopra, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade and Kunal Kemmu. He recently shot for the comic caper in Ooty with Parineeti, and wife Rukmini, whom he tied the knot with in Udaipur in February, had accompanied him. “It was her first time on a film set. The whole team is amazing and Ooty is a beautiful place. I was a little apprehensive, wondering if Rukmini would like it but she really enjoyed herself,” he beams.

Neil will resume shooting for the fourth instalment of the hit franchise in July after the director returns from Spain where he is hosting the eighth season of the reality show, Khatron Ke Khiladi. “We will be shooting the climax. Every day on the set of Golmaal is a lot of fun. The cast and crew keep ragging each there,” he smiles. And when’s the honeymoon? “My wife keeps asking me the same question. Hopefully soon,” he says.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 9, 2017)

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; January 18, 2017)

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 17, 2016)

After a roka ceremony at a Juhu five star in October, Neil Nitin Mukesh will tie the knot with fiancée Rukmini Sahay on February 9. The Prem Ratan Dhan Payo actor will have a traditional destination wedding in Udaipur with pre-wedding ceremonies kicking off on February 7 with the engagement. “My parents wanted a big fat Indian wedding for us, but I wanted it to be an intimate family affair so we chose Udaipur where all of us could get together for the big day. It will also be a great way for Rukmini to meet my extended family over three days,” informs the groom-to-be, adding that some of his designer friends are helping him out with the wedding outfits.

Meanwhile, Neil’s father, veteran singer Nitin, and brother Naman are looking into the other arrangements and have assigned a theme to every do. They will be in Udaipur from January-end to overlook the preparations. “The mehendi ceremony on February 8 has the mela theme featuring several games, and Rajasthani folk performances. This will be followed by sangeet night where my father will sing few of his popular tracks. I have planned something for Rukmini too but want to keep it a surprise,” says Neil, who plans to live out his childhood dream of going down on one knee to propose to the love of his life. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Neil smiles.

The 34-year-old actor will arrive for the nuptials on a chariot, while Rukmini will enter in a doli, adding a royal touch to the proceedings. Priests will be flown in from South India to preside over the traditional ceremony. “That will be followed by a big family dinner,” Neil further reveals. The multi-cuisine spread at the ceremony will be prepared by chefs from Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

Meanwhile, Neil is set to begin shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar’s Indu Sarkar in December and will wrap it up by January end. But he wouldn’t be going for a honeymoon post the wedding, as he will begin shooting for Sujeeth Reddy’s trilingual with Prabhas. “Hopefully I’ll take Rukmini along so that we could spend time together,” he says. The family will host a grand reception in Mumbai at a Juhu five-star for their friends from the film industry on February 17.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; November 26, 2016)

The actor will observe the fast with fiancée Rukmini Sahay, to be broken with a 7-course meal
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 19, 2016)

Neil Nitin Mukesh who got engaged to Mumbai girl Rukmini Sahay at a suburban five-star hotel on Dussehra (Mirror, October 13) is all set to mark another auspicious day in the Hindu calendar.

The actor will be fasting along with his fiancée for Karwa Chauth today. “My father (Nitin Mukesh) has been fasting too for the last 40 years for my mother (Nishi). I think it’s the most romantic thing a man can do for his better half. I don’t think I will be able to pull it off for too long as I’m like a cranky kid who needs food every two hours but this is special,” Neil confided to Mirror, adding that he will be starting the day as early as 4 am.

He pointed out that everyone who knows his singer-father says that they are yet to come across a man as romantic as him. “He has been fasting with my mother ever since they got engaged,” he added, recalling that once when he was travelling with him for a performance, he was on stage for five hours straight without even a single drop of water or food through the day.

“Another time, both of them broke their fast in the plane, looking at the moon through the window.” The actor is ensuring that his fiancée receives gifts on the big day. “I am giving her a handcrafted jewellery set since she loves jewellery. There’ll also be a fancy seven-course meal to break the fast at my South Mumbai pad. This time, the extended Mukesh parivaar will join in for celebrations since it’s Rukmini's first Karva Chauth with us,” Neil signs off.

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 14, 2016)

The actor and his soon-to-be bride Rukmini Sahay had a roka ceremony on Tuesday
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 13, 2016)


Neil Nitin Mukesh is the next-in-line in Bollywood to walk down the aisle. The Prem Ratan Dhan Payo actor will marry fellow Mumbaikar Rukmini Sahay next year. The couple had a roka ceremony at a Juhu five star on Tuesday with family and a few friends in attendance.

“My parents (Nitin and Nishi Mukesh) had been looking for a match for me when they came across Rukmini. She’s studied hotel management and works in the aviation industry. She is a simple, lovely girl, I am really happy,” Neil beams, adding that he chose a sherwani designed by Sarath Krishnan to wear on the first of his big days.

When asked if they have zeroed down on the wedding date, Neil admits that if his father had his way, he would have got them married on the day of the roka itself. “I don’t think my parents would want a long gap between the roka and the shaadi but it’ll only happen next year,” says the 34-year-old actor, adding that he wants a simple ceremony. “Marriage is a beautiful institution which brings two families together. It shouldn’t be a platform to showcase one’s wealth or status. Given a choice I’d prefer a small wedding in a temple or maybe even the beach but our parents will take the final call.”

The actor started the day with a grihapravesh of his new residence in Andheri which was followed by a six-hour puja and the roka ceremony. “It is going to be my ‘work home’. I have done the interiors myself and was putting final touches till as late at 5.30 am on Tuesday,” he signs off.