September 14, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): For the last four years, Neil Nitin Mukesh had been missing from the most important annual event in his house. The Ganpati festival is celebrated with optimum gaiety in veteran singer Nitin Mukesh's household. Sadly his son Neil had been missing out on all the celebrations.

But this time Neil is not only at home for Ganesh Chaturthi, he has taken over the entire arrangements.

Says the exuberant actor, "For the first time in four years I've the time to be home for Ganpati. For the last three years during Ganesh Chaturthi I was shooting outside Mumbai. Last year I was shooting in New York during Ganpati. Forget about doing arrangements, I wasn't even home for Ganpati."

Neil has taken complete charge of everything in his South Mumbai home. "All the decorations inside and outside the house are mine. I've arranged for the cook and his help and the menu. And I'm looking after all the pooja guests. For ten days it's an open house in our residence. Guests come in any time pray have their meal and leave when they like."

Neil is not shooting in September and October. This sabbatical is not just for religious purposes. Neil has taken time off till October-end to prepare for his action part in Abbas-Mustan's The Italian Job.

While the directorial duo has arranged for a special team of trainers from Hollywood to train all the actors (the same team that trained Mark Wahlberg and gang in the other Italian Job, Neil intends to get his own personal martial-arts trainer.

Says the actor, "The role requires a lot of martial arts training. I've learnt Taikwando for two years. But that is not enough. Though Abbas-Mustan has hired a team to train me and Abhishek I am getting my own personal trainer."

Neil plunges into the action regime for The Italian Job right after the Ganpati season.

No leading lady has been finalized as yet. Apparently, Neil is pitching hard for his Lafange Parindey co-star Deepika Padukone. The actor jumps to his film's defence, "Lafange Parindey was certainly not the loser it is being made out to be. In fact, my producer Aditya Chopra personally told me it has made sizeable profits."

There are rumours that Neil has been signed by Yashraj for another film. "Not yet. But I am sure when Adi has something he will call me."

-- Subhash K Jha / Sampurn Wire