Hansal believes Rajkummar is a gift
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta is a fan of Rajkummar Rao, the actor. Mehta, who has collaborated with Rajkummar for films such as CityLights (2014), Aligarh (2015), and Omerta, says the actor succeeds in surprising him with every performance.
“I have always said that Rajkummar is a gift. We have been working together for quite some time now, and every time he works with me, or plays different characters, he has always surprised me. And the experience of working with him again, for Bose: Dead/Alive, was no different,” the director says.
Mehta has also been excited about being associated with the web series, which highlights INA leader and fierece nationalist Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s life and contribution to the cause of Indian freedom. It is understandable to be curious why Hansal chose a subject that has so far been guarded, and controversial, but Hansal clears the air on it. “I think controversy is in the minds of people. It’s a perception. And it is because of ignorance that people see controversies. We have made a web series for the digital medium which is being consumed heavily by so many people. Our intention is to highlight the fact that the freedom that we enjoy today is because of people like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and their passion, and it’s been an exciting exploration on the man, the legend, and the mystery,” he explains.
Does the possibility of a backlash ever bother him? “If, after watching the show, people want to discuss and debate, I am open to it, but I can’t tolerate controversy for the sake of attention. It is the job of the ignorant,” he says.
“We’ve put in a lot of research, and Ekta (Kapoor) and her team have worked really hard. More importantly, the show is for the younger generation, who are far removed from what has given them the freedom that they enjoy today,” he says,
Shreya Mukherjee