New Delhi, June 24: Acclaimed actor and filmmaker Rahul Bose has opened up about the challenges of unscripted improvisation in cinema, sharing a tense moment from his career that highlights the potential pitfalls of veering away from the script during production.
In a candid conversation reflecting on his experience across 55 films, Bose emphasized the importance of discipline and planning in filmmaking, firmly stating that improvisation has no place on a live set.
“When you’ve called ‘action’, we’ve already decided what we’re going to do together. We’re not improvising then. It’s too expensive, too risky, and it compromises the integrity of the film,” said Bose.
Behind the Scenes: A Disrupted Scene That Was “Axed”
Bose recalled a specific incident where one of India’s top actors took a scene in a completely different direction without any prior discussion. The unscripted move threw the set into chaos and left the director panicked.
“I got onto the set and I found this guy was taking the scene somewhere else. So, I also went along with it,” he shared.
“Finally, the director was like, ‘Where is this going?’ And I said, ‘What? He’s taking it there? You tell him, don’t tell me.’”
The scene, according to Bose, was ultimately removed from the final cut.
Theatre vs Film: Clear Boundaries for Improvisation
While Bose has deep roots in theatre, a medium known for experimentation, he strongly believes that improvisation must be limited to rehearsals—not actual shooting.
“Improv happens before the performance. Not when you’re on stage,” he said, drawing a sharp distinction between stage and screen processes.
On Gangs of Wasseypur and Director Styles
Commenting on directors who embrace fluid scripts, like those involved in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Bose said such an approach does not align with his method.
“I would never do a film where you’re improvising on the fly,” he stated, distancing himself from directors who favor spontaneous creativity during filming.
A Career Rooted in Discipline
Rahul Bose is widely respected for his methodical and nuanced performances in films like English, August, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, and Pyaar Ke Side Effects. His recent projects include the spy thriller Berlin and the Bengali web series Rekka.