Neetu takes break from 'Traffic Signal' to do theatre

Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) A break in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Traffic Signal" had his leading lady Neetu Chandra scurrying to another medium to sharpen her acting skills.

"I joined a Hindi theatre group named Idea to make the best of the break. The director Mozaib Khan has been doing theatre for more than 25 years. He directed 23 plays for the Munshi Premchand Festival, which was held from July 31 to Aug 4 at Ravindra Bhavan. I was in four of these Premchand plays," Neetu told IANS.

Neetu has been involved with Idea for nearly two months.

"We've staged reality plays on AIDS, drugs and the recent Mumbai blasts as well as the Premchand plays. I always wanted to act in theatre. I used to read a lot of plays. But this was my first chance to go on stage.

"I think I'm making good use of the break in the 'Traffic Signal' schedule. I'm not taking on any other film until 'Traffic Signal' releases."

Neetu leads a disciplined life.

"I'm totally into a regimented life that includes yoga in the morning and theatre rehearsals in the evening. God has given me one body, one life and one opportunity to make something of my life."

Neetu is exceptionally excited about her role in "Traffic Signal" and did extensive research to do justice to her character in the film.

"I play a Kathiawadi vendor who sells embroidery and mirror work on the street. I actually sat on the footpath for 12 days in front of the Santa Cruz police station and made friends with these street-smart women. I blended with them and asked them to teach me their craft. There're advantages to being an unknown face. I could blend with them without being recognised."

She has a romantic angle with Kunal Khemu in the film, but Neetu is cautious in her response.

"He's involved with many other films. For me 'Traffic Signal' is the only assignment on hand. We shared a good professional rapport. I was too busy trying to follow instructions from my director Madhur-ji to pay attention to anyone else. In most parts of the film, Kunal tries to bully me because that's what he plays."

All her hopes are pinned on "Traffic Signal".

"After 'Garam Masala' I could've vanished. God has given me one more chance. Not bad for a girl from Bihar who had no Bollywood connections.

"Fortunately, people here have been helpful. But I wonder what would've happened to me if Madhur-ji hadn't discovered me. Sometimes I'd wake up in the night in a panic thinking my career had come to a dead end even before it started. My mother's hand would always be there to calm me down. She's my only friend."

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