Child's play!

Tahaan, a story about an eight-year-old boy trying to free his donkey from the clutches of the moneylender, has Rahul Bose, Rahul Khanna and Sarika along with the child protagonist Purav. Here’s what they have to say of their experience

What is Tahaan all about?
Rahul Khanna: Tahaan is a very different film, far from the usual commercial films that are being made today. It has a very simple story that will touch your heart. The film has been extensively shot in the picturesque town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir and is about a small boy and his emotional journey when he loses his only friend, Birbal his pet donkey.

Rahul, what attracted you to such an off- beat film?
Rahul Bose: Santosh Sivan wanted me to work in the film. After Before The Rains he said he did not want to a do a film without me. This is his film and that was one of the biggest reasons to take it up. Besides that I loved my character graph, another reason I agreed to be a part of this project. This will be my first cameo. I play this brainless farmer who is the village idiot! It was fun as I actually had to act dumb and believe me it is the most difficult thing to do!

Sarika, you are very choosy about your films, what motivated you to do the film?
Sarika: I play Tahaan's mother, Haba. My character is mute in the film. She loses her voice when her husband who leaves home is presumed dead. I don't have any dialogues in the film. I immediately said yes because I liked the idea of speaking with my eyes. One thing I would like to say is that Purav is the hero of the film. All of us are just supporting actors.

Rahul tell us a little bit about your character.
Rahul Khanna: I play Kuka, a moneylender who helps get Tahaan's pet donkey, Birbal back. The story is very simple and the cinematography is brilliant. It is not a full-fledged role as the child is the hero of the film. But it has been one of the finest roles that I have been offered.

How was the experience of working with Santosh Sivan?
Rahul Bose: I have worked with Santosh Sivan for the second time and trust me, his understanding of cinema is too good. His way of looking at things gets translated on screen in a very different way.

Any special memories that you would like to share.
Rahul Khanna: Well, the whole schedule that we shot in Kashmir was wonderful. We shot in the winter season and it was freezing there. The conditions that we shot in were brutal and severe. Though it was incredibly difficult to reach Kashmir with all the riots happening and the flights getting cancelled, we thoroughly enjoyed shooting. The people in Kashmir are so warm and hospitable. And I cannot tell you how beautiful that place is