Neil Nitin Mukesh, who will be donning a completely new avatar in Bejoy Nambiar’s David, recently revealed that Amitabh Bachchan’s ’70s look was a major source of inspiration for his look in the film. “It’s set in the same period and has a retro feel. So I will be seen in big collars, bell-bottoms and jackets, much like Mr Bachchan’s look in Don (1978),” says the actor. Talking about choosing the project, he says, “The film is shot in black and white, something we haven’t seen in recent times. I just grabbed the opportunity and gave it my best shot.”

Neil says even when the script was being read to him, he perceived his character to look in a certain way. “I had a few ideas in mind. And when we all sat together to decide on the look, I suggested a particular kind of moustache that the character could sport. Even the sideburns and the hairstyle were good additions.”

Talking about his role in the film, Neil insists that David is not your run-of-the mill gangster. “He isn’t rowdy, like the other gangster roles you have seen before. David is a very intense character. He’s reminiscent of The Godfather (1972), a suave and savvy gangster,” he says.

David also stars Vinay Virmani and south star Vikram in lead roles. “Each of us has an individual story, all of which run parallel to each other.  All three of them are bound by a strong narrative,” says Neil, who insists that David is nothing like his previous project 7 Khoon Maaf (2011), which had seven stories running one after the other.