Circa 2013, Neha has established her reputation as an actor, who doesn't shy away from the offbeat path. On the personal front, she's bold, sexy and very comfortable about being curvy.
An Indian actress who hates pretence and does her own chores, Neha gets candid with CS about her early ambitions of becoming a sportsperson and how she's just the girl-next-door.
A girl less ordinary
As a child all I dreamt about was sports, I wanted to wear a T-shirt with the Indian flag and do quads in the Olympics. I think sports are numero uno (For Neha, nothing beats the high of being a sportsman). I am not sure about having a bold image but yes, I am not pretentious and that will never change.
Films are very important to me, but there is more to life than just that.
Yes, I am curvy and I am all-natural, I am an actress but I still buy my own vegetables, answer the door bell, collect the newspaper in the morning, attend society meetings and all other things. I am a grounded person and when I get slightly diva-like, my friends get me back at my right place.
A perfect 10
I think I work best with people known to me; in the last 10 years I have learnt a lot. For me, it is a huge success to be where I am - a simple fauji's (army man's) daughter acting in movies.
It's true that I have friends who cast me for roles that are slightly left of the centre.
I enjoy working with people whose sensibilities match mine. That's why I have done so many off-beat films. In terms of mainstream, who wouldn't love to do mainstream? I have two very interesting projects I am working on.
The desi heartland
My last release was a Punjabi film with Jimmy Shergill and it was simply fantastic. I think regional movies is the pulse of cinema. As most of our countrymen live in the rural areas, they are the real junta with their limited access to entertainment, which includes TV and local movie halls.
I think that's a huge reason for regional cinema to be a success story at the box office. Plus, there are so many regional filmmakers who are such good story-tellers.
