After representing India internationally in Rugby for 25 years, Rahul Bose is finally hanging up his boots.
The Bollywood actor and sportsman, who played 20 international matches, says he will continue to play domestically for Bombay Gymkhana and in international club tournaments.
“Preparing and playing International Rugby takes around two months which I don’t have on me now. I have to travel for film festivals, give lectures, I’m on the board of six NGOs and besides I also have my films,” says Bose.
Two other reasons behind his decision are age and money.
“Rugby doesn’t pay you well and besides, the youngest player in the team is 18. I must have played with their fathers in school. I’m 40 now, so the signs are loud and clear that I should quit, before I start playing with my friends’ children on the team!” laughs the actor.
He’s learned a lot from rugby.
“Like how to lose gradually and enjoy the score, not the result; to be a team player, because by nature I am an individualist; if you try to play alone, you are bound to get hurt; and, to have a hot heart and keep a cool head,” says Rahul of the lessons learned.
It hurts, naturally, to give up something he likes the most.
“Today we rank 81st among 110 countries and 50 years later, we will rank in the top 20 position. We will be part of the Commonwealth Games too, but I will be a grandfather by then!” quips the rugby star, who played his first international against Singapore in 1998 and the last one against Pakistan this year.
Related posts:
- Rahul Bose wants to make a film on rugby
- Photo Shoots: Rahul Bose for Andpersand Magazine (November 2010)
- Photo Shoots: Rahul Bose for Andpersand Magazine
- Photo Shoots: Rahul Bose for Filmfare Magazine (July 2010)
- Snapshots: Rahul Bose@FICCI Frames 2010
- Rahul Bose talks about his new film, Shaurya and his Bollywood career
- Snapshots: Rahul Bose, Nandita Das@Before the Rains screening
- Video: Rahul Bose talks to Miss Malini about The Japanese Wife
- Trailer Video: Omar (Rahul Bose)
- Photo Shoots: Rahul Khanna for GQ Magazine (July 2011)
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Didn’t know Rahul Bose is so old. Anyway who cares? It’s not like Rugby has ever been a big deal here. Maybe it got some hype because Rahul Bose is a celeb (Bollywood).