It has been an action packed year for actor Neil Nitin Mukesh who has been shooting films back to back. The actor, who had a release this year, has not had any free time since Players. Though the film did not set the cash registers at the Box-Office ringing, Neil says his character, Spider, got a lot of feedback. “Spidey became so popular that I have at least 10 people calling me by that name each day on social networking sites.

 I have no problems with people criticising my work. I have been an artiste all my life and as artistes, we need to be open to criticism. If someone hasn’t liked my work, I am sure; he or she has enough reasons to not like me. Besides I have just started out. I am only four-years-old in the industry and I have only done 10 films to date. Despite all the criticism coming my way, one thing I can assure you is that I am only growing. There has been a marked difference in my performance and I only want to improve. If I wanted box-office success, I’d rather be a producer.”

Ever since he stepped into B-Town, there have been constant comparisons drawn between him and actors Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan, but Neil seems unperturbed. “Comparisons are inevitable. But I treat my life like a boxing match. The trick is to not get knocked out and I am fighting my battle constantly. I am in no race to be the number 1, 2 or 3 actor. We are in a creative field and competition kills creativity. Besides, if you’re destined to reach the top, you will, no matter what,” says the young actor.

What about star status we ask? “An uncle of mine once told me, ‘Become a star first, you will eventually learn acting’, but I have always wanted to be known as an actor first beyond everything else.” And does he enjoy the fame and adulation? “Oh yes,” he quips, “I love it when people recognise me. I always oblige all my fans. It is very encouraging to be famous and I always stand to sign for autographs and pictures for all my fans.” And what about the female attention especially from a certain actor Sonal Chauhan, we tease. “Oh, that,” responds Neil, adding, “Sonal is a very dear friend and I am extremely fond of her. But that’s about it as of now, really.”