On my pinboard- Rahul Bose

Rahul Bose is an actor, director, screenwriter, social activist, and rugby player. He is known for his role in films like ‘Mr and Mrs Iyer’, ‘Antaheen’, ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’, ‘Vishwaroopam’ and ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’.

He began his career as a director with ‘Everybody Says I’m Fine’ and hasn’t looked back since. He is presently directing and acting in a Hindi film called ‘Poorna’ of which he is the producer as well.

It is a biopic which traces the life of the youngest tribal girl who climbed Mount Everest. He will make his debut in the Kannada film industry with ‘Niruttara’ in which he plays the role of a vice-president of a company.

 
Inspiration
Nelson Mandela
“I am inspired by a whole lot of people. Some of them are  Nelson Mandela, Jawaharlal Nehru, Martin Luther King Jr and Arundhati Roy. From Nelson Mandela’s life, I have learnt to be tolerant. Coping with adversity is what Martin Luther King Jr has shown me. Arundhati Roy has influenced me with her determination. They and many others have shaped my thoughts and my way of life.”
 
Books
‘Ulysses’ by James Joyce
“I enjoy reading ‘Ulysses’ by James Joyce. Short stories by Munshi Premchand have also held my interest. Books have always been my constant companion. I  read three to four books at the same time because I like to add variety in my reading. It could be something light or something that leans heavily on philosophy. I love them all. I never go to bed without reading a book.”

Music
Bhimsen Joshi
“I have an inexhaustible collection of music by Bhimsen Joshi. I listen to all kinds of music —  from classical to alternative music and in all languages. My love for Western music goes back to works by rock bands like ‘Radiohead’, Pink Floyd’ and ‘The Beatles’. These were great bands and continue to command the same fan following as they did in their prime. I think people of all age groups identify and relate to their music.”

Cuisine
‘Seekh kebabs’
“‘Seekh kebabs’ would be, by and large, my favourite dish. I always try out the cuisines of the places that I am visiting and don’t shy away from having their traditional dishes whether it is meat or vegetable-based. I also like Chinese cuisine, especially the soup. I am not fussy about food and like to experiment.”

Travel
Ranthambore National Park
“When I want to get away from the maddening pace of city life, I go to Kabini and Ranthambore National Park. I like being with nature and enjoy the sense of quietnesss at Ranthambore and Kabini. I think the atmosphere tends to calm me down. I have always been fascinated by sanctuaries and mountains.They have a sense of mystery about them. I also have a house in Himachal Pradesh, almost 15,000 ft above sea level, and I go there whenever I have the time. It offers a thoroughly rejuvenating feeling.”

(As told to Nina C George)