Rahul Bose in Antaheen

Happy to play a “romantic, emotional” Bengali in Antaheen, Rahul Bose tells t2 why he thinks the film will reach out to an audience outside the city...

What is your role in Antaheen?

I play Avik, a cop. He is an introvert. I was drawn to the script for both the director (Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury) and my role. I liked my character, as Avik is someone who is overly romantic, an emotional Bengali man. But he is far from being the stereotypical part-poet, part-intellectual middle-class Bengali.

Do you share your director’s view that Antaheen is an extension of Anuranan?

Yes, because both are relationship stories. But in Antaheen Tony (Aniruddha) has focussed on exploring relationships that are close but not physical. I think Antaheen is also very different from Anuranan in the sense that it has got a lot more density and maturity.

Which do you like more — Aparna Sen the director or co-actor?

I like her as a director more because she is a good director. Actually, she is a good actress too but she’s a better director.

You had recommended Radhika Apte for the lead role in Antaheen. What did you see in her?

Yes, I had recommended Radhika. See, there are three criteria that a director looks for in an actress. Talent definitely, whether she fits the role and if she is hardworking and professional. Radhika got a three on three. She is very talented as she has her roots in Marathi theatre.

According to Aniruddha, all the Antaheen actors had valuable inputs for the film. What were yours?

Let Tony say that. I never talk about how I have helped or contributed to the script. It sounds so incredibly vain and pompous.

Do you think Antaheen can appeal to a wider audience since the film has a slick look and feel?

Yes, I do think so. Look-wise, Anuranan was equally good. But it’s the theme of Antaheen which is far less Calcutta or Bengali. The theme is very international and less regional. Antaheen is very rooted in Bengali culture and yet it is not an intellectual film. It is an intelligent film for the forward-looking Bengalis who are also international.