Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh recently shared a startling incident of being detained at a New York airport by U.S. immigration authorities. Despite presenting his Indian passport, officials doubted his nationality and subjected him to intense questioning.
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Detained During the Filming of New York
The incident occurred while Neil was filming New York (2009), a film that ironically revolved around post-9/11 racial profiling. Recalling the experience, Neil said, “I was detained at the airport. They refused to believe that I had an Indian passport or that I was Indian. They didn’t even give me a chance to explain or speak for myself.”
A Four-Hour Ordeal
What started as a routine security check quickly turned into a frustrating four-hour interrogation. Neil was repeatedly questioned, yet denied the opportunity to clarify his identity.
He recounted how the situation was finally resolved, stating, “After four hours, they finally asked, ‘What do you have to say?’ and I simply replied, ‘Just Google me.’”
A Shift in Attitude
His response caught the officers off guard, momentarily stunning them. Realizing their mistake, they quickly changed their tone, shifting from interrogation to curiosity. “Suddenly, they began asking me about my grandfather, my father, and my family’s legacy,” Neil recalled.
A Legacy in Indian Cinema
Coming from a prestigious lineage, Neil Nitin Mukesh is the grandson of legendary playback singer Mukesh and the son of renowned singer Nitin Mukesh.
Current Work and Acting Journey
On the professional front, Neil is currently starring in the satirical action comedy Hisaab Barabar, directed by Ashwni Dhir. The film, featuring R. Madhavan, Kirti Kulhari, Rashami Desai, and Faisal Rashid, follows a railway ticket checker who uncovers irregularities in minor bank transactions, leading to shocking revelations about systemic corruption. Hisaab Barabar is now streaming on ZEE5.
Despite his deep-rooted connection to music, Neil chose to pursue acting. He began his journey as a child artist in Vijay (1988) and later made his lead debut with Johnny Gaddaar (2007), a neo-noir thriller that earned him critical acclaim. Over the years, he has delivered versatile performances in films like New York (2009), Lafangey Parindey (2010), David (2013), and Saaho (2019).