Weekend Exclusive | I got an opportunity to direct "The Steven Spielberg' in a short video: TV Anchor Neha Sareen

Neha Sareen an elegant and charming television hostess made a mark by her distinct individuality. Before entering the show biz she was studying Economics, Psychology and Theater. After that she did several ad campaigns including Samsung, Clinic All Clear, Nirma and LG. She also appeared in music videos like `keh dun tumhein`. After doing various modelling assignments she was selected as the anchor of `Page 3` on Zoom Television. She shot to fame with her latest show on Sony Pix called Chicks on Flicks.

Adgully caught up with Neha Sareen to know more about her experience at the Brussels and Paris premiere of The Adventures of Tintin- The Secret of the Unicorn, where she spoke to highly acclaimed Holywood director Steven Spielberg.

Sharing her experience as the co-host of Hollywood movie review show Neha said, "Personally, I was always looking at bringing together "beauty with brains'. Though the concept of the show was unusual for the Indian audiences, we have managed to carve a niche for ourselves. Both Ira Dubey and I had to clear layers of hectic auditions to be accepted as the host for the show. We were put through rigorous training and grooming session to turn "film reviewers'. Since I have studied film appreciation in the past, the content generation phase was easy to adapt to and beautifully reignited my memories."

Commenting on her rapport with her co-host Ira Dubey, she said, "Ira and I have immense mutual respect. Though we did not know each other before the show, we have certainly grown together through the show."

Neha Sareen is now one of the few fortunate cinema lovers, who got a golden opportunity to meet the "King of Hollywood', Steven Spielberg. Speaking about her experience an elated Neha said, "Steven Spielberg is in my top 10 directors list and an opportunity to interview him for his upcoming 3 D, action-adventure The Adventures of Tintin- The Secret of the Unicorn, made me feel like a Cinderella! It was an absolute action adventure. I was there for four days from October 20 to 24 for the film's Brussels and Paris premiere. Tintin there is almost like a national hero, I was euphoric to see his murals on the street walls."

Adding further, she said, "Interestingly, Spielberg had never met Herge, the writer of the series who inspired him to take Tintin to the big screen. Through the four days, I traveled from Brussels to Paris on the Tintin train with the cast and the crew. I remember when Spielberg was unveiling the train he said he hadn't traveled on a train in 15 years. That moment showed how humble can a great brain like him can be."

Elaborating further on the delightful experience, Neha said, "Not only was I able to pick his brain regarding the comic character and its big screen adaptation, but I also got an opportunity to direct "The Steven Spielberg' in a short video!" The icing on the cake, Neha believes, "Was when Spielberg wrote me a note saying, "To Neha Sareen, I really enjoyed this interview here in Paris."

Apart from a one on one with Spielberg, Neha also got the opportunity to catch up with Jamie Bell who plays Tintin in the movie and Kathleen Kennedy, co-producer and long time collaborator with Steven Spielberg.

Taking her pick as the all time favorite Hollywood directors, Neha said, "First, obviously has to be Steven Spielberg. He in a large way had defined the way films were watched over the years. As a child, the first few films that I watched were that of Spielberg. The other favorite is Christopher Nolan, who gave us such intruding characters like Batman. The kind of work he does, really intrigue me deconstruct his complex mind that influence his films as well."

Speaking about Indian films, Neha believes that, "As a holistic cinematic experience, I feel that Rajkumar Hirani is contemporary director who is simply amazing. His films not only have a social touch to them but are highly entertaining as well."

A film buff that she is, Neha picked the top favorite films. "From Hollywood it would be E T, Shawshank Redemption and Schindler's List. Coming to Bollywood, I am a die-hard romantic, so the quintessential Hindi films would be Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Meine Pyaar Kiya and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge have to be on the list."

Neha Sareen is one person who is constantly ticking her brains, be it as a movie critic, or a television host. She has also been a sports presenter with Neo Sports and Times Now. It seems that the entrepreneurial bug has cast its spell on Neha as well. She is now exploring her entrepreneurial interest through a relationship website called, www.ditto.in in partnership with her family members.

Neha concludes by saying, "I always want to do something that challenges me, makes me think and at the same time, is a lot of fun as well. Recently, I read one of Steve Jobs' speeches, and he spoke about joining the dots. If one may observe, I have literally shifted gears every two years. First a Page 3 presenter, then a sports presenter, an MC, movie critic; I don't know how I do all this, but all I believe is that may be 10 years down the line, I shall stand proud to have enhanced my knowledge and taken each and every step upwards". | By Ankita Tanna [ankita(at)adgully.com]