Neelam Singh, dynamic and talented actress of Kashmir is known for her acting skills and magnificent caliber. Her first serial was “Tavnich Duniya” in the year 1999.
She has fourteen year experience in acting line. Neelam is approved ‘A’ Grade Drama Artist of Doordarshan kendra Srinagar and All India Radio. To her credit, she has worked more than 300 serials including tele plays, tele-series for DD Kashir,DD urdu , DD Jammu and DD National, during her 14 year old career in acting line. Besides great acting aptitude, she has ability to perform in number of diverse languages- Kashmiri, English,Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Dogri languages.
She has a healthy experience in the world of theater too and has acted in number of theatre plays too. She participated in famous Urdu Stage Play “Jheel Bula Rahi Hai” First Theater festival held in Srinagar (24th July, 2005). The only play which got 4 awards from Doordarshan Srinagar. She was the only artist from Kashmir and selected for the “BEST ACTRESS AWARD” for the serial “Aach dair” from Jammu and Kahmir Academy of Art, Culture and language.
In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir Scenario, Neelam Singh talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
How were the Childhood days like and was joining acting world imbibed since childhood days?
The childhood days went on normally. After death of my father, my mother and brothers took great care of me. Till eight class I studied at Guru Nanak School Baramulla and then shifted to Srinagar for further studies. When I reached 9th standard I started to get offers in TV Serials which I initially refused but after great persuasion I gave it a try and was successful in auditions. I wanted to be a doctor and joining the world of acting came by chance and getting acting offers at early age tempted same.
Did joining world of acting affect your academic career?
No, my joining the acting world did not impact my study career. As a matter of fact, when I used to go to shooting set I used to take my books and when I said to mates during First Year examinations that I am going for shootings they were surprised and thought it as a joke.
How has your theatre experience been since it is considered as main breeding ground for artists?
Any artist wanting to make tangible headways in the acting world has to undertake the experience of theatre .Theatre is the real training ground for artists and I had a very successful experience in world of theatre with one of the plays in which I played prominent role bagging many awards.
What is your take on your experience in serial?
Since 1999, I have joined world of acting and after successful auditions I joined world of serials and has performed in over 300 serials and plays for Doordarshan here as well in Jammu and Delhi. The experience has been wonderful and bit hectic.
Why are the serials produced by private TV Channels more popular than Doordarshan as you have lot of experience?
The main difference is in the budget as the budget is usually very high in private TV channels and in Doordarshan we have limited budget which hampers the overall production. In addition to this, the overall concepts on which serial are produced by these channels are more oriented with needs of time especially the aspirations of new generation. We have to have ample budget and cater to needs of young generation to achieve more proficiency.
Have you ambitions of joining serials of renowned private TV channels like Star Plus & Sony?
Definitely, but I would like to state that during my work I would take into consideration the sensitivities of my motherland Kashmir.
Any offer to work in Bollywood?
I got a Bollywood offer which I rejected as I believe in doing everything when the time is ripe. I would only act in Bollywood when the script suits my taste and preference especially a role which makes my land proud.
I would like to state that once in childhood I had listened to melodious Kashmiri Song which had touched my heart and now after two decades after relocating the song I Would perform on this melodious song so as to showcase richness of our music.
What are the main constraints faced by the youth of J&K State while honing ambitions of joining entertainment world?
We have immense talent in our state, but the only thing we lack is proper exposure. In this relation, we need to lay foundation of Acting & Productions schools which can train our youngsters. A trend of making tele-feature films at small level has started which is a good sign for us.I would like to state we especially have great talent in Kashmir but due to lack of institutes we lack proper accent.
What are your future ambitions?
My future ambitions are to join world of production and direction and also film making. I want to dedicate my works to my land (Kashmir).
Any memorable experience you would like to share with us?
Once during the start of my career, I was playing a role of Journalist who was murdered and the enacting of that murder scene went horribly wrong as the actor was nervous and he tightly plucked my hair and hit me with knife in hand but I continued the scene. After the scene was over my hand was full of blood and whole productions team became nervous. I still remember it.