Neesha Singh recalls Nana Patekar ‘hated me on sight’ during Ankush days : Bollywood News

In the 1980s and 90s, Neesha Singh was among the most recognisable faces in Indian advertising and television. A successful model, film actor and TV personality, she stepped away from the spotlight at a time when her career was steadily rising.

Neesha Singh recalls Nana Patekar ‘hated me on sight’ during Ankush days

Neesha Singh recalls Nana Patekar ‘hated me on sight’ during Ankush daysBorn and raised in South Bombay in a well-to-do family, Neesha did not initially aspire to join show business. Her entry into modelling happened unexpectedly when she was spotted during a college canteen visit and offered a major campaign for the skincare brand Fair & Lovely. The advertisement was directed by noted theatre personality Alyque Padamsee. Recalling the moment, she said, “I said my family will not allow me to model,” but eventually agreed after reassurance, a decision that quickly made her a household name.

Unlike many contemporaries, Neesha worked selectively, reportedly limiting the number of endorsements she signed. The strategy enhanced her exclusivity in the advertising world. She later transitioned to films, working in projects such as Ankush, where she shared screen space with Nana Patekar. In interviews, she recalled that Patekar initially “hated me on sight,” though the two eventually developed mutual respect during filming.

Television further expanded her reach. She featured in popular serials including Buniyaad and A Mouthful of Sky, regarded as India’s first English-language TV drama. Despite steady work and visibility, Neesha chose to prioritise family life. After marriage, she relocated to Singapore in the late 1990s and stepped away from acting. “For me acting was not a junoon, it was a shauk,” she said, explaining that fame was never her ultimate goal.

In recent years, Neesha has occasionally returned to creative spaces through stage narration and select appearances, maintaining a low public profile while valuing personal boundaries over celebrity status.