Over the course of history in Indian cinema, we have often come across filmmakers who picked out national figures and presented them on screen giving an insight into their lives. Joining the bandwagon are Pulkit and Hansal Mehta with Bose: Dead/Alive under the Alt Balaji banner. Pulkit, who recent made the critically acclaimed Maroon has directed ace actor Rajkumar Rao as Subhas Chandra Bose whose life and actions and his abrupt disappearance still polarizes the nation.

Presented in the web series format, ‘Bose’ is an ambitious and highly anticipated project that will hit the website on 20th November. We asked a quick round of questions to the three of them prior to the release of Bose: Dead/Alive.

 

Bose: Dead/Alive

Bose: Dead/Alive

Pulkit (Director)

Pulkit you’ve made Maroon, which is a smaller, low budget chamber piece, and now you’ve moved onto this bigger, more expensive large scale project that is Bose: Dead/Alive. How different was it from the previous one?

There wasn’t too much difference actually. Maroon required that amount of money which was invested in that, and similarly Bose required the kind of money that was invested in it. We don’t really get into all that money business (laughs). I simply don’t think like that. For me, it’s all about the story and how to tell it in the best way, and the amount invested in it is the producer’s call.

Hansal Mehta (Creative Producer)

Sir now that you are a Producer, how different is it from the last few films that you have directed?

I need to correct you, I am not a Producer, but a Creative Producer. A Producer has a different kind of responsibility; putting the show together, raising the investments, fortunately, I didn’t have to do that.

You are now giving a platform and a boost to upcoming talents such as Pulkit and Q. How has that process been?

I think becoming a Creative Producer has a lot to do with it. When it comes to Bose, I wasn’t in a position to direct at that time. But it was something that I didn’t want to let go, because Raj was in the show and it was simply a wonderful script. I also had a lot of faith in what I could bring to the table. Fortunately, I found a partner in Pulkit who executed that vision with passion, honesty and his own conviction. As a Creative Producer it’s my job to ensure that your conviction is uncorrupted and not spoilt by somebody else’s vision. I worked as a mentor and a protector.

 

Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao (Actor)

Tell us about one of the most challenging moments on sets and one of the fondest memories from Bose.

I would say the whole experience. It is one of my most ambitious projects’ and character till date ever portrayed on screen. I cannot speak of one challenge; just to relive his life, relive the era all over again was a wonderful experience for me. As Raj I feel very strongly about these amazing legendary national heroes that we have and just to play Netaji on screen was a great thing for me.