Interview: Neetu Chandra

Most film executives in both Bollywood and Hollywood would agree that it is recommendable for a woman to launch her acting career before passing her 21st birthday. Then again, when one has accomplished as much as Neetu Chandra, age becomes a non-factor as her body of work speaks volumes. Indeed, Neetu could look back upon her days and revel in all that she has done. Not only is she a medal-winning black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Korfball extraordinaire, but the Bihari-born actress is also an avid basketball player who has associated herself with the United States-based National Basketball Association. Oh, she has also modeled, worked in Indian theater, and climbed her way up the Bollywood hierarchy. Despite arriving in Bollywood in 2005, Neetu has managed to line up acting gigs opposite some of the biggest names in the industry, including Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Neha Dhupia, John Abraham, Paresh Rawal, Reitesh Deshmukh, and Abhay Deol. With the anticipated blockbuster No Problem on the horizon this year, and films such as Garam Masala, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Rann, and Apartment already under her belt, suffice it to say Neetu not only has achieved quite a bit in so little time, but she also has quite the promising life to live in front of her.

In chatting with Buzzine Bollywood about her career, Neetu was as philosophical as she was humble when she was pressed about how she has managed to do so much despite being so young.

“I’ve learned to enjoy the process called life,” Neetu confessed. “When you start painting on life’s canvas, it’s important to throw all the paint on it — all the colours with its bright as well as dull shades. Only when you give your all to life does it start responding with vibrancy.”

Life philosophy aside, Neetu put her own accomplishments in perspective, telling Buzzine Bollywood she is so passionate about what she does that she rarely, if ever, ponders whether she has the time to attend to each item on her bucket list.

“If you really love something enough, you will always find the time for it,” she told Buzzine. “I am a big fan of basketball and Tae Kwon Do and am very active with both as much as I can. Both are my passions. I must take a moment to thank the NBA for coming here and helping spread basketball in India. They have really done a good thing.”

Of course, Neetu conveniently failed to discuss the few good things she has done with those passionate hobbies of hers. Prior to diving headfirst into the piranha-infested waters of Bollywood, Neetu was a world-class athlete. Twice she represented India in international competition, participating in two different sports, no less — she represented her country in the World Korfball Championships shortly before competing in the International Tae Kwon Do Championships in Hong Kong. In addition, Neetu also claimed a Silver Medal for Tae Kwon Do in India’s National Games.

With such an international competitive spirit, it comes as no surprise that Neetu set her eyes on pursuing a more global acting career. While she truly enjoys Bollywood and Indian theater, she has not ruled out venturing into qualitative productions outside of India.

“I don’t set my acting career according to country. I care more about the script. If it is a good script, that is all that matters, whether it be Bollywood or Hollywood or elsewhere,” she emphatically told Buzzine. “Of course, we look up to Hollywood over here, so if something came along from there, I would be excited to pursue the opportunity. But in the end, the quality of the script is what matters.”

Interestingly enough, Neetu switched hats and tried to put a unique perspective on why Bollywood is so well-received beyond the shores of India. While the Hindi film industry has a historically loyal following in regions that are within India’s sphere of influence, such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, Bollywood has no doubt gained a significant following in recent years in the Western world — particularly in Hollywood and Canada.

Speaking from the heart of Bollywood, Neetu observed that there is a very simple reason why Hindi films have suddenly become so popular around the world.

“I think what makes Bollywood so popular is the music and dance. There is no language attached to music, and anyone could understand it. It doesn’t matter if the song is in Spanish or English or whatever — it’s easy for everyone to figure out,” she humbly opined. “It is the music and the dancing that helps people outside of India relate to Bollywood, regardless of what country they are from.”

The athlete-turned-model-turned-actress may be on to something in explaining why Bollywood is so easy to fall in love with. Then again, Neetu can make anything look easy, considering how she has accomplished more in the past decade than most will ever do in three lifetimes. Yet, her intense passion and genuineness make it equally easy to fall in love with her, and it is only a matter of time before Neetu becomes so accomplished that she will become the standard bearer for success.