Neil reveals the mystery behind his colourful beads

Updated on: 08 December,2009 07:42 AM IST |
Subhash K Jha |

Neil Nitin Mukesh often sports a rosary around his neck. He never steps out of his house without wearing one.

Neil Nitin Mukesh often sports a rosary around his neck. He never steps out of his house without wearing one. Revealing his fondness for the holy beads, Neil says, "I really love Jesus Christ and all things associated with him."

"My passion for rosaries started three years ago when a Christian friend presented me with one," adds Neil. At that point, the actor wore it as a fashion statement. "But when I stepped out wearing that rosary I felt more confident of myself than I had ever done. That's when I became fond of them."

Incidental coolness
Now, Neil has them at home in all shapes sizes and colours, "I mix and match them with my mood and clothes. But please, I want to stress that the rosary isn't a fashion statement for me. It's a very private and sacred expression of my spirituality. That it looks cool, is incidental."

In defence of rights
Speaking of religious regard, last week, Neil was at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.u00a0 "Again, I love being at temples and gurudwaras. My mother isu00a0 a Punjabi. But that day, I was at the Golden Temple to support a very important Sikh campaign defending every Sikh's right to wear his turban and beard without fear of discrimination. I feel every individual should be given the freedom to dress and behave as he is comfortable."