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He pointed out that actors like Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan have been given roles where their skin tone has been darkened.
Neil said he doesn’t get work as he is fair.
Neil Nitin Mukesh, despite coming from a prestigious lineage, has faced significant hurdles in his Bollywood journey. While his debut in director Sriram Raghavan’s critically acclaimed Johnny Gaddaar (2007) was impressive, his career has struggled to maintain momentum, leaving him largely absent from the industry in recent years. In a candid interview, Neil hinted that his skin color has played a role in being overlooked for roles in the industry. He pointed out that while actors like Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan have been given roles where their skin tone has been darkened, he believes he, too, deserves the same opportunities.
Discussing his career struggles, Neil explained that he has often been sidelined due to his appearance. “I agree that in a country with a population of about 140 crore, I am unique. But that doesn’t mean I don’t fit the perspective of a common man. And the problem isn’t that I’m not trying,” he said in a chat with Hindi Rush. He referenced roles in Johnny Gaddaar and Jail, where he portrayed everyday characters, emphasizing that he can embody the “common man.”
Neil also highlighted how actors like Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan have been cast in roles requiring brownfacing, which was widely accepted by audiences. “Today, we can make white skin look dark, right? Technology and makeup have advanced so much that we can completely transform an actor’s face. So, give some attention to acting as well. If you believe I can act, give me an opportunity,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his role in Hisaab Barabar, where he portrayed a regular banker, Neil stressed that he sees himself as a man of the people. He also mentioned that he had recently shot a film set in Lucknow and questioned why it was so challenging for people to imagine him in such roles. “Even if the role is of a gangster or someone else, won’t I fit that mould? Saif Ali Khan saab could do Langda Tyagi in Omkara, right? Hrithik Roshan saab broke himself free from the ‘Greek God’ mould and did Super 30, right? They can get opportunities off the ground, but here, I have to keep trying,” he added.
