A close friend of Neil chose to underplay it saying, "It would be premature to say Neil is dating Sonal Chauhan. After what he has gone through, it would require Herculean willpower to commit to another relationship.

But yes, their bonding is definitely growing. And they're definitely in a space where love is present.

But Neil won't rush into a commitment so fast. The last relationship has broken his faith.

" Apparently, Neil was in a six-month relationship with a certain actress who endorses soft drinks but that ended on a sour note. The friend explained, "She used and dumped him, befriended his entire family, and used his weakness for a domesticated bahu-type of girlfriend to her advantage.

That's what hurt Neil the most." The actress in question now claims that she hardly knew Neil.

"Neil was totally committed and took her home to his parents. She played the daughter-in-law card until her dad began to interfere in the relationship, not allowing them to even go out for a cup of coffee.

Neil had to meet her at home and in her father's presence. The full extent of her duplicity hit him when at a party, she met him like an acquaintance," said the friend.

Seems the couple broke up after this incident but the actress pleaded her way back into the relationship, courtesy Neil's unassuming father. In the words of Neil's friend, "The actress and her father wanted Neil to move out of his family home and move into his own pad.

In December, he finally called off the relationship." At the time, Neil was almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown had it not been for Sonal Chauhan walking into his life.

Sonal and Neil have signed a film titled 3G based on the spectrum scam that will be the directorial debut of Sheershak Anand and Shantanu Ray Chibber . While Neil's friends are sure this may help their relationship grow, Neil, when contacted, simply said, "It's too early to talk about the relationship and the film.

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"I have yet to come across a man as romantic as my dad. I love the way he pampers my mom even today like they are newly wed.

I follow his footsteps," he tweeted (less)

Apparently, the love birds have been spending a lot of time together. In fact, a source close to Sonal revealed, "This date was of course preplanned.

Neil and Sonal were in the restaurant for nearly two hours. They are beginning to know each other very well and enjoy each other's company.

" Another source close to Neil told Mirror, "They might even be cast opposite each other in a film to be produced by Eros International." While we tried repeatedly to get in touch with the twosome, they were rather coy about it and remained unavailable (less)

He is super talented," tweeted Neil. The 30-year-old was last seen in Players .

Tweet (less)

"I have an announcement to make! I have been confirmed for Bejoy Nambiar's next film currently titled, David, acting opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh . I am crazy excited about this project.

:)," (sic) she posted (less)

Neil began preparing for it much in advance. He even discussed the scene in detail with director Susi Ganesan .

He worked out the nuances with the action director, to make it look as realistic as possible." He would be up and about by 4 am everyday and would run seven rounds of the race course and practice the fight sequences till late evening.

He did this for four consecutive days, "He would end up with bruises on his arms, legs and back, but he rehearsed repeatedly till he was satisfied. And all his hardwork paid off because the shot was okayed in one take," adds our source.

Neil confirms, "The chasing scene was an exhaustive fight between the goons and me that involved me to jump over barriers and roll down on the ground filled with mud. The entire sequence was done in one single shot.

It was one of the lengthiest shot I have ever filmed in my career as an actor. It had me sapped completely.

But when I saw it in the monitor, I realised it was all worth the hardwork." Parag Maniar (less)

The film opened with approximately 2 cr on Friday; 1.50 cr on Saturday; 2 cr on Sunday; 1 cr on Mondayand even before Tuesday was out, the trade verdict is that it has failed to interest the audience.

One hears that sources at Viacom 18 are reportedly telling people that they acquired the film cheap and will not lose much. However our trade source says, The film is a washout.

..

and we know that the film corporation will find it hard to add to their book value with this one.'' (less)

Fair complexion, light eyes and a well-toned body are the benchmarks of beauty. Sonam , Sonakshi , Arjun Kapoor - are all examples of 'heavyweight' star-kids who had to dial-it-down for a B-Town debut.

Is the industry too prejudiced about all that appears good-looking? Does acting ability really matter; and are these the right parameters to gauge 'star-material'? This week, Bollywood Big Story debates whether Bollywood is too obsessed by fake beauty. Here's what filmmaker Milan Luthria had to say, "Being fat is fatal in Indian cinema.

We get too consumed by the definition of beauty imbibed in us." Producer Mukesh Bhatt offers another perspective, citing an example, "I don't think Katrina is the most talented actress, but she's beautiful and hardworking, that's why she's at the top.

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