It was like a perfect cinematic opening when Neha Saxena met Mohanlal on the sets of ‘Munthivallikal Thalirkkumbol’. She was walking into the location and Mohanlal had just given his shot and while turning back he saw this gorgeous woman Neha Saxena walking towards him. “Hello, Julie,” he greeted. “I was surprised to see him identify me with the name of my character,” says Neha Saxena in an exclusive conversation with ETimes.
Mohanlal is turning 61 today and Neha Saxena, who has worked with the actor previously for ‘Munthivallikal Thalirkkumbol’ and was recently shooting with him for the upcoming film ‘Aaraattu’, spoke about her experience working with the Complete Actor.
“On the second day of ‘Kasaba’ release, I received a call from producer Sophia Paul of Weekend Blockbusters. I was in Mumbai at that time and when she first asked whether I have dates for an upcoming Malayalam movie with Mohanlal, I thought it was a prank call. Well, who would imagine getting yet another superstar’s movie, just after a day of the release of my first?” shares Neha Saxena recalling how she received the opportunity to play a supporting role in the Mohanlal starrer ‘Munthivallikal Thalirkkumbol’.
“I was nervous and literally shivering when I walked into the sets of the film because all my scenes were with Mohanlal sir. I was worried about what if I did not perform well. But it just vanished into thin air, when Lalettan greeted me saying “Hi, Julie.” He introduced himself, and I was just awestruck. I was moved by his humble personality,” Neha Saxena recalls.
She added, “He puts you at ease. Makes you feel that there is nothing to worry about and behaves like a normal person, not a star.”
Neha Saxena who has recently worked with Mohanlal in ‘Aaraattu’ couldn’t stop gushing about her co-star’s professionalism and timeliness, “If the shoot starts at 9 am, he will be there by 8.30. He arrives on the sets and then goes and greets each and every person on the set, cracking jokes and make them feel like family. Lalettan’s diligence is something we all should learn and I don’t know how he stays so humble. Also, I have always respected him and he gives it back. During award shows, when I see him, I just go and greet him, he is so grounded that he would rise from his seat and greet you back. A star like him doesn’t need to do that, but he does. And every time I have met him, he would enquire about my family and ask me to convey his love.”
Neha summed up by extending birthday wishes to her co-star, “I wish him all the success and happiness in the world. And I hope I get to work with him in a full-fledged role sometime.”
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