An Exclusive Interview With Rahul Bose

I am averse to commercial Hindi flicks. I find them boring and boredom means death to me,” says actor Rahul Bose. Best identified with sensible cinema, Bose is currently riding a new high post Mumbai Matinee.

Will the average man identify with your character in Mumbai Matinee?
Do you think the average man in the streets will watch the movie? Without resorting to diplomacy, let’s put it straight — Mumbai Matinee is urban-centric and meant for multiplex viewing.

What preparations did you make for the role of Debu Chatterjee, and any specific reason why the protagonist is a Bengali?
Debu Chatterjee’s psyche required study. Now, here’s a normal guy whose virginity is the bane of his existence. As for the character being a Bengali, I guess it was because the director had me in mind during the conceptual stages of the film. Being a Bengali, it was easier to mould myself into the role. Apart from this, there is no other reason. The film is certainly not a dig at the exaggerated vulnerability of the bhadralok.

Post Mr and Mrs Iyer, how many offers have you received?
MMI was like the opening of floodgates. I received 33 offers, of which 31 were rejected.

You seem to be the flavour of the new breed of Indian cinema. Are you open to commercial pot-boiler Hindi films?
I do films which I like and feel comfortable with. I am averse to commercial Hindi flicks. With due respect, that’s not my cup of tea. I find them boring and boredom means death to me.

  Then what about Takshak with Ajay Devgan?
Takshak is not your run-of-the-mill masala film. Ajay Devgan is a commercial star but he is a brilliant actor and so is Tabu.

  Which other actors do you like?
Ajay Devgan, Aamir Khan, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Antara Mali, Konkona Sen Sharma, Manoj Bajpai to name a few.

  Do you think India is ready for crossover cinema in terms of commercial success?
Let’s say that we do have a cinema-literate audience and this must not be underestimated.

  Forthcoming films?
Chameli with Kareena is in line, and this is not a commercial film. The film spans a single night, when an investment banker and a prostitute get caught in the rain. I am also writing the script of a film called The Whisperers, a psychological plot. Then there is a film about which I still have to concede.

  A retro package of your films is headed for Namaste India, the week-long festival at Milan. Comments.
A retro-package sounds like a grand word and makes me feel like quite a veteran. Actually, eight Indian films will be screened at the festival. Luckily four are mine — Bombay Boys, Mr and Mrs Iyer, Split Wide Open and Everybody Says I Am Fine. That is enough for me.


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