Rahul Bose has commercial hits like "Jhankaar Beats"
and "Pyar Ke Side Effects" to his credit, but the
immensely talented actor prefers offbeat films because he feels
he doesn't have the sex appeal to be a mainstream actor.
"I am seen less in out and out commercial films because
my preference has always been world cinema. Whether it is 'Split
Wide Open' or 'English, August', my inclination has been offbeat
cinema," Rahul, 42, told IANS in an interview.
"Another fact is that I don't get offered commercial films
too often. Simply because I don't have the kind of looks, sex
appeal, dancing skills, etc, needed to be a mainstream actor.
So I don't want to push myself in roles that don't suit me and
make a fool of myself.
"I know about a few actors who would have done extremely
well in art house cinema, but, in search of a career in commercial
cinema and recognition there, they made a fool of themselves,"
added the actor.
So how does he decide on a particular role?
"For me, a director doesn't matter, what matters is the
script and the vision of the film. Also it depends on what kind
of film I want to do that time," he said.
Rahul started his film career with Dev Benegal's 1994 film
"English, August". Even though he has acted in mainstream
Bollywood films like "Thakshak" and "Silsilay",
among others, he is known for his portrayals in art house films
like "Bombay Boys", "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer"
and "15 Park Avenue" among others. In fact, Time Asia
magazine named him the superstar of Indian arthouse cinema.