Rahul Bose is in Kolkata to shoot for Sayantan Ghosal’s next, Madam Sengupta, his 10th Bengali film. In an exclusive chat with CT in between the shots, the actor and sports administrator reflects on his 31-year acting career, his love for the city, teaming up with Rituparna Sengupta once again, and more.

It’s been amazing. I only regret doing one Hindi film; otherwise, I’m content with my choices. Happiness has been constant, the only change is refusing to work with morally murky people, no matter how talented they are. An actor’s life is a slow, continuous ecstasy, and that’s what my goal. It’s better to work with good people, even if the project isn’t as big or successful.

My love for Kolkata has deepened and grown. The thing I love the most about this city is the love for sport, art, dance, theatre, movies, culture, debate, and food. What else do you need in a civilisation? Great music, great arts, great conversation, great warmth, great passion, it’s a city of the culture that works. And the more I see the world, I have realized how precious and beautiful the city is. I’m not romanticizing Kolkata. I have also seen the poverty, division in the social fabric, but despite all of that, there is a force of humanity in the city that you find in the great cities of the world.

I didn’t indulge much as I’m trying to lose weight, but for dinner, I enjoyed kosha mangsho with roti and anda ki bhurji as my Punjabi side.

Raima and I can laugh about anything. You know, when you’re really good friends, you can laugh about anything without any punchline. Yesterday, I was giving her a tutorial on cricket.

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'My first Bengali film was Anuranan and it was with Rituparna. She is one of the greatest names in modern Bengali cinema, and to begin with, she’s a wonderful human being'

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'I often say a career isn’t defined by what you say yes to, but by what you say no to. Learning to say no is crucial for anybody'

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'My first Bengali film was Anuranan and it was with Rituparna. She is one of the greatest names in modern Bengali cinema, and to begin with, she’s a wonderful human being'

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'I was born in Kolkata ittefaq se. My father was transferred here during my birth for three years, and then he moved to Mumbai. I discovered and fell in love with Kolkata through cinema'