In Neil's words
If I woke up one morning and discovered I was a woman' I would do
woman-oriented roles (laughs). Maybe! I will act according to the
situation.
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.
How can your fans make their workout fun?
Exercise will be fun if you are dedicated towards it. Many people just join a gym but don't attend regularly, which is pointless. Think about the kind of body you will achieve if you workout regularly and motivate yourself to exercise. You can also take your I-pod along to the gym so that you don't feel bored while working out.
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.
What do your prefer?Sports or Sex
Any childhood memory related to mangoes?
I come from Baroda and remember that my neighbour had this huge garden with a mango tree in it. Being the mango freak that I am, I and my friends used to sneak into the garden to steal mangoes from the tree. I can't forget how irritated my neighbour would be whenever he caught us.
What happened the first time you got drunk?
I am very health conscious, and hence its a no to drinking and smoking for me.
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. I am not saying this just to praise myself, but many people have told me about this. I am a choreographer as well. That's it about me
"My original profession is choreography. In fact I have done
choreography in college. I am in the fourth year. I am originally from
Baroda but I have been brought up in Mumbai."
Your ultimate strength?
I think it's my will power that keeps me strong.
Like every actor I also went for auditions worked very hard on every character and then one day I got a call from Sagar productions for a show in 2006 but that didn't click.
But as per my destiny after two long years I got a call from the same production house for my first serial on Sony TV called 'Arslaan'. The casting director then told me that he remembered me from the previous auditions but then he thought of me to be raw in my acting skills that required some polishing and so I was rejected for the role of young Prithvi in the serial Prithvi Raj Chauhan earlier.
Yes, I had always desired to be an actor .Also I was so much involved in extracurricular activities that acting had to be the natural outcome. But I took up LAW coz it's my family business and I wanted to have something to bank upon in my career.
So do you opt for scripts that have action sequences in them?
"I prefer and I ask producers if I will get to do some stunts. But other than that, if my character is good enough, then I will go for it even without action sequences."I love doing my stunts. There are times when my stunt director tells me to use a body double but I budge. I go for it and do it on my own,
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.
Boogie Woogie was an Indian Television dance show that aired on Sony TV. Debuting in 1995, the show was hosted by Indian film and television personalities, Naved Jaffrey and Ravi Behl, who were also the producers and creators of the show.Javed Jaffrey appeared as the permanent celebrity judge. It had become the longest lasting dance show in India.
The grand and opulent 19th century show Jo Ishq Ki Marzi Woh Rab Ki Marzi on Sahara One saw see Neil Bhatt and Neha Marda in lead roles...Sahara One's show, Jo Ishq Ki Marzi Woh Rab Ki Marzi, was a tale of two lovebirds set in the later part of the 19th century and span two decades. The look of the show was grand and opulent and focussed on the lifestyle of the zamindars in that era.Playing the lead roles in this period love story were Neil Bhatt of Arslaan fame and Neha Marda The story was of two bosom childhood friends Sumer and Sunaina (Neil and Neha Marda) who get separated because of a rift between their families. After years, the two come face to face in the Gurukul where they study, and here blooms their eternal love story, which sets them on a journey where they are destined to unite.Sagar Arts, who expertise in mythological shows had left no stone unturned to give a realistic feel to this 19th century love story. They had done an extensive research on the costumes and jewellery prevalent in that era.
Quoting Neil
"I will be clad in a dhoti and kurta all the time," says he. Adding about the change from being an action hero to a romantic hero, he states, "The action hero is now a love hero (laughs)." "But, on a serious note, while my sword spoke for me in Arsalaan, my eyes will do all the talking here", adds Neil."I play the character of Sumer who is madly in love with Sunaina. Sumer is a complete contradiction to Sunaina. I relate to the role 100%, because I like Neil in real life too. Except that I have not fallen in love with any girl till date. He is in complete awe of his father and will never question his father's decision. Sumer is passionate about music and his flute mesmerizes every one who listens to him playing it. As a kid, Sunaina used to love to play to his tune". It doubly tough as an actor to play Sumer because the basic need of the character is to talk more through his eyes and project softness in a big way. I make it a point to read the script again and again before I set out to face the camera for the shot.The childhood sweethearts are torn apart by the cruel hands of destiny but meet one another again after ten years at a gurukul, unaware of each other's identity, when love rekindles in their young hearts and gives rise to a passion that will challenge the decade old enmity between their two families. While Aslaan was a fantasy, Jo Ishq Ki Marzi Who Rab Ki Marzi is more realistic."
The Giant Leap...Abhi
12/24 Karol Bagh
"There comes the morning with the golden basket in her right hand bearing the wreath of beauty,silently to the crown of earth"
The
ultimate big break!!..The show which made him transcend the
boundary---From popularity to stardom!!----With the boy next door looks
and chilled out personality ,Abhi came across as a fresh breath of
air.When saas - bahu sagas were ruling charts,Abhi carved a niche for
himself in the show .From being a young carefree spirit to the most
adorable lover and finally the ideal husband,Neil carried off the role
with such ease and grace that it instantly made him the talk of the
town.Every woman dreamed of a life partner like him.Every girl started
dreaming about him.The twinkle in his eyes---The bubbling
enthusiasm---The amorous and flirtatious mannerisms---Every aspect was
beautifully accentuated by his charming persona.
About the show:
12/24 Karol Bagh was an Indian television drama series that aired on Zee TV set in the Karol Bagh area of Delhi. The story dealt with the conflicts between today's kids' generation and their parents. In spite of having a different location and environment, the show did well for the channel. The success of the series, started the trend of many TV serials being set in Delhi.Abhinav was a very young, good looking, helping, caring and fun type of a youngster. He was studying Business Management and when he comes back to Delhi for his sister's wedding he meets Simi and soon they become best of friends. He finds out that Simi is facing a lot of problems in life and tries to help her come out of it. Soon he realises that he is in love with Simi and confesses it to her. He married Simi.
Quoting Neil :
I find Abhi as a character is very unique. For me at first it was very difficult to play this cool dude chilled out guy as in my short career span I have always played characters which are different but more on the serious note and when I shot for Karol Bagh I was thrown into an uncharted territory. I didn't know what to do with this character. I use to sit day and night with my script including those that I had already shot, I kept reading again and again till I got it right. So for me everything about him is special because this is the first character that got me noticed
Once in a lifetime someone is blessed with an opportunity to essay a path breaking role such as Kesar and be a part of an EPIC show such as Gulaal. Carving a niche for himself in an already ensemble cast was a herculean task in itself. But who better than Neil could have justified and perfectly stepped into the shoes of Kesar , carrying on the legacy from where young Kesar had left. Neil, not only transcended his own capabilities but he also brilliantly merged as well as outshone in the canopy of stars that adorned Gulaal.The most complex and layered character ever portrayed on Indian TV 'Kesar provided Neil with a chance of exposing his soul in the process of learning Kesar.
From being a spiteful , fearsome tornado of simmering hatred to a mad obsessive lover ,finally and gradually metamorphosing into someone who was ready to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of the only woman he hated ,loved, obsessed, desired and longed for.. THE COMPLETE JOURNEY'THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF REDISCOVERING HIMSELF'was wonderfully potrayed by Neil.
The hurt of being ignored, the years of desolate desperation ,the emotional upheaval of a confused mind ,the impatient cravings of an obsessed lover, the realisation of selfless love..Each and every aspect of the complex character 'each and every nuance and details were flawlessly executed by him. The angst of a man who stood with divided loyalties-the passion of a person madly in love'the highest level of selflessness---are all but only a few aspects from the long list, in which Neil breathed life with utmost dexterity. If Gulaal was a masterpiece show highly acclaimed by critics,then Neil was no less than the star of the show. PERFECT YET IMPERFECT!! DEVILISH YET DANDY!! FEARSOME YET FRAGILE!! If there ever would have been any Kesar..It certainly would have been Neil!!
"Memorable scene: drunk scene after playing kabbadi, he goes to his room, sits n play morchan. That is the first time when I felt the character."
"It has changed me as a person trust me Kesar se itna kuch seekha hu becoz Kesar is more human than any human alive. Usme itne negativity bhi hai aur positivity bhi toh kaafi kuch seekha on personal and professional level".
"Arslaan is close to me but kesar gave me everything. Kesar and Abhi gave me everything"
"This is my delight ,thus to wait and watch at the wayside where shadow chases light and the rain comes in the wake of the summer"
The handsome hunk participated in Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan. After the little ustads from the television he's another one to join hands with the reality dance show. He teamed up with Jayshree Venketaramanan He was too much excited about the show because it's a great opportunity for all to work with choreographer Saroj Khan.
About the show :
Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan is Dance class show hosted by
Saroj Khan
Quoting Neil
"Yes, I will be seen in Nachle Ve along with Jayashree. It's a great opportunity that I have got a chance to be a part of the show which is belongs to Saroj ji. She is the ultimate masterji. Malaika is a very soft-spoken person and her judgments are very apt. Whereas Jayshree is also a fantastic dancer and I am lucky to have her as a dance partner".
I think Saroj ji is magnificent and a respected dancer. I found it easier to be trained by her because she goes with the lyrics of the song. She choreographs the song according to the lyrics. That's what I have been doing myself. So it was easier for me to work with her. So far, I had a fabulous time on the show," he says.
Is he a trained dancer? "No, I am not. That's the reason I agreed to be part of the show. All that I know about dance is because of Prabhu Deva and Michael Jackson. I'd watch their steps and try to copy it. That's how I learnt dancing,"
We now hear that Neil Bhatt has also been confirmed for the role of Lakshman. Ramayan which launched on August 12 (2012) on Zee TV taking the 11am slot every Sunday.
About the show
The story will be based on Ramacharita manas and will trace the EPIC journey of Lord Rama.
Quoting Neil
. "As an actor, it is only natural to want the meatiest role that allows one to fully showcase his range of histrionics. So while I was definitely more keen to be cast as Ram at first, I now clearly see that it is all three ' Ram, Sita and Lakshman who are the key protagonists of Ramayan and the role holds ample scope for me to perform as an actor."
"The
show has opened up to a very positive response. The music by the ace
composer Ravindra Jain has been widely appreciated and the soundtrack of
the show is simply outstanding. The make-up team must also be commended
for an extremely proficient job'one can see it in the look given to
Lord Vishnu. The casting, authenticity of the sets, the first-rate
cinematography and the catchy visual effects only add sheen to the
content. We are working hard to showcase this epic in a manner that gets
families to sit together on a Sunday morning and learn from it, besides
being entertained'wish us luck!"