The soon to be released Mann Gaye Mughal-e-Azam is a one off experiment for the actor. "I enjoyed being part of this song and dance formula film. But, I don't see myself going through the same grind again," Bose said in Mumbai.
In the film he plays a RAW agent who comes to a town in Maharashtra to intercept consignment of RDX. "He bumps into a theatre group which is considered the worst of its kind. The group is owned by the `worst' actor Paresh Rawal and Mallika Sherawat plays his wife. I fall madly in love with her. What follows are hilarious comic situations," Bose said.
According to him, all his characters in previous films had been realistic or close to realism. "But, I don't think a RAW officer in real life is what I portray on screen. It should be taken with a pinch of salt."
Bose said the movie was a comedy but with a strong story which is why he accepted the role. "I enjoyed working with (writer-turned-director) Sanjay Chhel and Mallika."
The actor said his films like Chameli, Jhankar Beats, Chain Khuli Ki Main Khuli and Pyar Ke Side Effects were all of different genre. "Mann Gaye Mughal-e-Azam" is of a different genre. The experience was worth it."
Bose said he was looking forward to his "art house" movies like Before the Rains directed by Santosh Sivan, in his another venture Tahaan and The Whisperers with Manoj Bajpai. In Sivan-helmed Tahaan, Bose is playing a cameo while the protagonist is a young Kashmiri boy.
To a question, Bose said he believed in the categorisation of cinema into art and commercial streams.
"For me, art film has a non-formula story. The distinction lies in whether you can predict the story or not."
All art movies are not good and in the same way all commercial films are not bad, the activist-actor said.
About his next film Dil Kabbadi, Bose said it has an interesting story line with urban background.
"It is about life of married couples in large metropolises. The film is entertaining and yet very real. The two pairs in the film are Irrfan Khan and Soha Ali Khan, myself and Konkana Sen-Sharma."
Apart from films, the actor is associated with six NGOs working for children's education, gender quality, justice and peace. Bose has his own social foundation.
"Six children orphaned due to the tsunami in Andaman Islands are being educated in Rishi Valley School. They are now in Class VII and will remain there till they pass Class XII. The kids are blooming and I am very happy," he added.
