Veteran actor and musician Neil Nitin Mukesh is stepping into a challenging new role in the upcoming musical drama Hai Junoon! Dream. Dare. Dominate., premiering on May 16, 2025, on JioHotstar. The series, directed by Abhishek Sharma and produced by Jio Creative Lab, promises to be a groundbreaking blend of drama, music, and performance across 20 episodes. Neil plays Mentor Gagan Ahuja, a complex character that required not just emotional depth but also intense preparation—and heart.
“I think this was my most difficult casting ever,” Neil admitted at the trailer launch. “Hai Junoon is a show I’m extremely passionate about. It’s been 20 years in this industry, and I can say with full conviction—this is the first character I’ve truly connected with on such a deep, personal level. I’m a musician at heart—I play the piano, I compose—but portraying Gagan Ahuja stretched me as an actor like never before.”
Neil revealed that not everyone initially believed he could take on the role.“There was a phase before the show began when everyone was unsure whether I could do justice to Gagan Ahuja. I remember being in Delhi, shooting something else, when Abhishek Sharma said, ‘What should we do?’ And I told him, ‘Take an audition.’ I’ve never auditioned in 20 years—but I did it for him, because I knew I could bring this character to life. He wrote two scenes for me, helped me understand Gagan’s emotional graph—and that conversation sealed it.”
Neil emphasized how special the show was for its inclusive and democratic casting.“This is the first time you’ll see film actors, television actors, digital influencers, and completely new faces all on the same platform. And when that happens, the playing field levels out. It’s not about competition anymore—it’s about pure talent and delivering your best.”
Reflecting on the past year, Neil shared that it’s been one of the most rewarding periods of his career.“The last one year has been the best time for me as an actor. I’ve never before had the chance to work with so many talented people in one space. Honestly, I was intimidated—because they were all that good. It was one of my biggest learning experiences.”