You Ask… Amrit Maghera (Neeta)
AMRIT MAGHERA Hollyoaks’ Neeta Kaur ...faces your questions!
Neeta must be the loveliest lady in Chester, so it’s no wonder everyone at Hollyoaks High adores her! And Amrit proves she’s just as delightful as she answers your questions…
“Were you sad when Neeta and Mac’s relationship ended?”
It’s sad not being able to work with people like David [Easter, aka Mac], Lysette [Anthony, who plays Marnie] and Richard [Linnell, aka Alfie] any more, but it was a positive message. Neeta said no to violence and being lied to, so good for her! Now she’s a strong, independent woman.
“What would you cook to impress somebody?”
My signature dish is spaghetti Bolognese, and it has been since I was about 17. Not to big myself up, but I could make that with my eyes closed! I’m trying to branch out, but that’s a safe dish.
“You always look amazing! Do you swear by any particular fashion or beauty tips?”
Sleep! I think if you’re exhausted it’s going to show in every sense. And as for fashion, I think that my tip is to feel comfortable.
“What would you do if you took a year off work?”
I’d definitely go travelling. I lived in India for a bit, so I was able to visit places like Thailand and Malaysia. I’d go round South America, and to strange places like Greenland, Italy or Japan – as many different countries as possible!
“Who was your favourite celebrity as a child?”
Michael Jackson – 100 per cent! I still love him. My brother and I would wake up really early in the mornings before school and watch his videos – we must have seen the moonwalk so many times! Obviously I can’t moonwalk as well as him, but I do know how to do it.
“How do you relax after work?”
I have a glass of wine, turn on the TV and watch some stuff like First
Dates. I love that kind of thing. I also really like documentaries and lots of thought-provoking films.
“Would you like Neeta’s family to join her in Hollyoaks one day?”
Yeah I’d love that! It would be great to have an Asian family join
“Would you like Neeta to have another wedding?”
“What other roles have you enjoyed playing?” “I love Neeta and Maxine’s friendship! Are you and Nikki Sanderson [Maxine] mates in real life?” …asks reader Melodie Taylor from London
the show, and we’ve only touched on Neeta’s now and again. Her parents didn’t come to her and Mac’s wedding because they didn’t condone the fact Neeta was marrying a man so much older than her. They don’t agree with her choices, and I think she’s a bit of a black sheep in her family. It would be good to meet them one day!
“What music are you listening to at the moment?”
One of my favourite artists is called Banks, so I listen to a lot of her stuff. She released new music recently, and I’ve been getting familiar with that.
“Other than Neeta, what other roles have you enjoyed playing?”
I did a film called Angry Indian Goddesses, which was released in a lot of European countries last year. That was my third film, and I think it’s the one I’m most proud of. My character is a hippy with a pure heart who is struck by tragedy. The film is all about what it’s like to be a woman, and the injustices between women and men. At the screenings I went to, women would come up to me in tears saying how much they related to the film. It was amazing to be involved in something like that.
“Would you like to see Neeta have another wedding in the future?”
Yeah I’d love that! It’s so fun to be able to do stuff like that because it’s heightened, and it’s great doing things that are high stakes. She’s had the Bollywood theme, so it would be nice to see her do something else next time.
“What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve splashed out on?”
I have a big Mulberry weekend bag which cost quite a lot. Thats probably one of the most expensive items I own, but I’d done a few jobs all in a row, so I felt like treating myself!
“I read that you once danced with Guns N’ Roses! Is that true?”
Yes, that was at Wembley while they were touring, and I also danced with Kanye West at the BRIT Awards. It was such a long time ago that I sometimes forget I even did it! I love contemporary dance that’s all about expression, and where anything goes.
“What’s your pet peeve?”
I hate it when you go round someone’s house and they give you a glass that still has lipstick on it – I just can’t bear it. And small wine glasses and small cups of tea just get on my nerves, because what’s the point? I really don’t like stinginess!