Rahul Bose says audience does not care about movies entering Film Festivals: 'You cannot call Berlin a Festival Film, that’s an industry connotation'

Rahul Bose is gearing up for the release of his new spy thriller, 'Berlin'. Directed by Atul Sabharwal, the film also stars Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh in key roles. 'Berlin' had its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in 2023, followed by screenings at prestigious events such as the Mumbai Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2024, the Habitat Film Festival, and the Red Lorry Film Festival. Ishwak Singh’s performance in the movie earned him the Best Actor Award at the Stars Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) in Los Angeles.

During a recent chat with Bollywood Bubble, Rahul, Aparshakti, and Ishwak addressed the importance of a film getting recognition at festival stages. They also discussed whether it changes the acceptance from the audience's side.


Rahul reflected on how the significance of films being showcased at festivals has diminished over the years. He mentioned that around 30 years ago, when he started his career, films like 'English August' gained recognition by being termed "festival films." However, he noted that this trend has changed, and audiences today are more influenced by word-of-mouth recommendations. According to Bose, viewers rely on personal endorsements from friends or trusted sources to decide whether to watch a film, rather than caring about its festival participation or awards. “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,” he added.

He further shared his thoughts on the evolving importance of film festivals, stating that winning an award at a festival holds more value than simply having a film screened there. He explained that while an acting award still matters because "acting is acting," the significance of festivals has diluted, with various tiers of festivals emerging. Bose humorously remarked that festivals have become as varied as "South Bombay or Napensea Road Ward No. 6 festivals," calling it "nonsense." He also joked with his peers about the possibility of Instagram or private theater film festivals becoming a reality in the future.

Rahul criticised the industry's use of the term "festival film," calling it insulting and derogatory. He explained that when a film is labeled as such, it implies that it won't perform well at the box office and will only appeal to a small, intellectual audience, while others will find it boring. Bose emphasized that this term should never be used, especially for prestigious events like the Berlin Film Festival, as it unfairly brackets films and limits their potential appeal. “You cannot call Berlin a festival film. That’s an industry connotation; it’s derogatory, it’s disparaging, and it should never be used,” he stated. He argued that no one can predict who will enjoy a film, so it shouldn't be categorized in this way.

'Berlin', set in New Delhi in 1993, centers on a deaf-mute young man, played by Ishwak Singh, who is falsely accused of being a foreign spy. To assist in the interrogation, a sign language expert, portrayed by Aparshakti Khurana, is brought in to help interpret.The movie will be available on ZEE5 on September 13.
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