Rahul Bose, credited with the title “Indian Arthouse Icon” by Time magazine, is now in Bangladesh for the shooting of a Dhallywood movie “Under Construction.” The dynamic actor will be seen opposite another Bollywood actress Shahana Goswami in the film directed by Rubaiyat Hossain.
Bose, who has made a niche for himself both in Bollywood and Tollywood – cinema from West Bengal – is acting for the first time in a Bangladeshi film. In an interview with the Dhaka Tribune, the celebrity shares his role in the film and more about his career and vision.
Why have you chosen to act in a Bangladeshi film?
It’s not about acting in a “Bangladeshi film.” Rather, the movie matched with the five major points I ensure before signing: good story, good director, good role, good co-actors and good script.
Many Bollywood actors previously worked in Dhallywood movies after they lost demand from Indian audiences. How do you evaluate your decision?
Look, I’m working in the cinema for pleasure, not for money. I’m always on for acting in a good movie, and I don’t care for any geographical boundary. I stepped into the world of cinema by working in Bollywood films. After establishing a distinguished position in the industry, I signed for my first Bangla film “Anuranan” in 2006. At that time, it was not fashionable working in West Bengali films. I can proudly say that “Anuranan” ran for 104 days, and is considered as one of the few films which revitalised the Tollywood film industry.
What character are you playing in “Under Construction?”
I’m a Bangladeshi art curator who travels all around the world to showcase his native art products to the rest of the world.
As you are playing the role of an art curator, how much do you know about the art and culture of Bangladesh?
Since Bangladesh is my neighbouring country, I know as much as a general Indian knows. But after coming to this country, I’m enriching my knowledge on this topic by reading articles and interacting with people.
You have so far acted in movies in five different languages. Tell us the secret behind your multi-lingual talent.
I believe language should not be a barrier to produce good work. When I was a child, my parents taught me to “never say never.” So, I enjoyed the freedom to explore poetry, rugby, cricket, boxing, advertising, acting, writing scripts and more. In my next directorial venture, there are six languages: Hindi, English, Marathi, Guzrati, Bangla and Panjabi.
To what extent do you think an actor should be responsible to the people?
One day an actress told me: "I act in good films and that’s how I serve people." That really impressed me, I believe an actor’s responsibility starts from good acting to serving people in many other ways. I have founded a non-profitable organisation – The Foundation, which actively works for distressed people – just as a human being, because I have the opportunity to do it. But as an actor, I stick to the principle of not to set a wrong example. Since I’m being watched, I have a greater responsibility to not to provoke people towards misdeeds. This is how being a public figure makes you a good person.
Rahul Bose is not only blessed with rugged good looks but is gifted with versatility, from ace rugby player, to gifted actor, to writer. He is a shining example of the multitalented youth of modern India. Rahul had been enthusiastic about acting from a very early age, and from the age of six was an active participant in school theatrical productions.
Being an active youth full of energy, he participated on high intensity cardio activities related sports, such as rugby, boxing and of course the game of cricket. Rahul can boast the experience of playing with cricketers like Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.
He became an actor with the film “English August,” based on Upamanyu Chatterjee’s novel of the same name. Playing Agastya Sen, the pivotal character of the novel, brought him full fledgedly into the limelight. The film was immensely popular in international circuits and became the first Indian film to be bought by 20th Century Fox.
The early part of this millennium turned gold for him when he began working with Aparna Sen. The two went on to work in a myriad films together. Starring with the multi talented Konkona Sen Sharma, Bose gave a brilliant performance in Mr and Mrs Iyer, a critique on religious disturbances in India.
Bose worked in Bollywood as well. Jhankaar Beats was one of his first pure Bollywood ventures. Bose went on to work in “Chameli” with Kareena Kapoor.
He also worked with Mallika Sherawat in “Pyaar Ke Side Effects.” The film was a romantic comedy with a fresh narrative style, and was appreciated by critics. A sequel of the film has been lined up, and will star Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan.