EXCLUSIVE: Rahul Bose believes audience doesn’t care if films go to festivals; says, “Only those who have their heads up their a***s will love Berlin”

Actor Rahul Bose is all set for the release of his upcoming spy-thriller, Berlin. Directed by Atul Sabharwal, and co-starring Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh in pivotal roles, the film has done the rounds of many film festivals ahead of its release on ZEE5 this Friday, September 13. The film’s world premiere took place at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in 2023. It was also screened at the Mumbai Film Festival in 2023, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2024, the Habitat Film Festival and the Red Lorry Film Festival. In fact, Ishwak won the Best Actor Award for his performance in the film at the Stars Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) in Los Angeles.

During an exclusive chat with Bollywood Bubble, the trio – Rahul, Aparshakti and Ishwak, were asked about the importance of films going to festivals and if that has an impact on how the audience accepts them. Scroll to read their answers and watch the full interview.

Rahul Bose on Film Festivals

When asked about his views on films going to film festivals, Rahul Bose said, “Nobody cares if the film goes to the festival. They used to be 30 years back when I started (my career). When English August went to the festival, it used to be called a festival film. Now they don’t care.” Adding now work of mouth works when it comes to making a film a success, the actor continued, “Someone will ask their friend about a film or that friend will say, ‘It’s a good one, watch it, it’s your kind of film. That’s it. Nobody cares if that film has gone to festival or won awards. People just want to make sure that people whom they trust have told them to watch the film.”

He added, “Honestly, even after they watch the film; even if they loved it they won’t say it went to some festival. Nobody cares (about festivals) at all anymore.”

Rahul Bose on awards

While addressing the same question, the actor said that receiving an award at a film festival matters more than a film being screened there. He said, “When you get an award as an actor then it makes a difference. Because acting is acting.” Adding that there are different types of film festivals, Bose said, “But Festival have become top festivals, second ring festivals, third ring, fourth ring, it could be called South Bombay, Napensea road ward no. 6 festival. It’s nonsense. Getting an award as the best director or actor still matters.” The trio also joked about their soon going to be an Instagram film festival or private theatre film festival in the future.

Rahul Bose on industry connotation

Further adding, “When the industry says its a festival film, its nothing less of an insult. What they mean it that it is not at all going to run the box office. A few people who have their heads up their a***s will love this film. They are the intellectual type rest of the people will find it to be boring, and a waste of time. You cannot call Berlin a festival film. That’s an industry connotation, it’s derogatory, it’s disparaging, and it should never be used. Who knows who will like it or who won’t? Don’t put it in a bracket. “

Watch the full interview here

About Berlin

Berlin is set in New Delhi, India in 1993. It revolves around a deaf-mute young man, played by Ishwak Singh, who is falsely accused of being a foreign spy. To aid in the government’s interrogation, a sign language expert, portrayed by Aparshakti Khurana, is brought in to interpret. As the investigation unfolds, the distinction between the accused’s guilt and innocence becomes increasingly unclear. Meanwhile, the sign language expert finds himself entangled in a complex web of deception and political intrigue.

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