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Theatre helps me hone my skills, says Neetu Chandra

Starting with her launch in Yavarum Nalam in 2009, to gaining recognition for Aadhi Baghavan in 2013, Neetu Chandra has made her presence felt in Tamil cinema. Having walked out of Adhik Ravichandran’s Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (AAA) that is slated for release today, the 33-year-old actor also gains a few nods for her resolve. “AAA felt like a script that didn’t

demand me. They have a great team in place, but AAA just wasn’t right for me,” she shares. With great plans ahead, Chandra talks about cinema, production and the art of it all.

Neetu Chandra

You’ve enjoyed success with your own production house Champaran Talkies. How has the journey been so far?
As an actor, you have to wait for the right script, but you also have to wait for someone else to  approve of you. As a producer-actor, you have the freedom to carry out your own vision; it’s a much stronger position to be in. When you do both, you grow both as a person and a creative professional. I am definitely looking into venturing into Tamil as well. The opportunity and position that I have enjoyed here has given me the belief that I can take up production.

You’ve also established yourself as a theatre artiste. How does that impact you as an actor?

I just finished my 72nd performance of Umrao Jaan, where I play a girl from age 17 to 85. I’m also producing my next play in English. An artist always needs to hone their skill, and theatre helped me do that. You learn to live your character out and out – there are no cuts or breaks. It inculcates a certain discipline in you.

We hear you’re working on a collaboration with Imtiaz Ali. Tell us what you have in the works.

Imtiaz is the creative director of my upcoming martial arts film Ladaku, which will be directed by my brother Nitin Chandra. Imtiaz is a dear friend of ours, and I can’t thank him enough for his guidance during this project.

You have two Dan black belts in Taekwondo, and have been named India’s Taekwondo ambassador.  Tell us about your fitness regimen and involvement in martial arts.  

Taekwondo is where my root is – Ladaku is also Taekwondo-based. Fitness is life to me; I don’t see myself living a life where I’m not fit. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I do yoga, and I go to the gym on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I also run thrice a week.

Tell us about your future projects.
I have Kusar Prasad Ka Bhoot with Paresh Rawal and Shooter with Randeep Hooda coming up soon. I’m flying out to LA and will be shooting there for a month for an English film.

Source: The New Indian Express