Rahul Bhat: Industry's influential people must support realistic cinema

Actor Rahul Bhat, who is gearing up for the release of his forthcoming film "Union Leader", says influential people in the industry should support, appreciate and promote realistic cinema.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who directed Rahul's previous film "Ugly" in 2014, tweeted praising "Union Leader" and his performance by saying: "You are totally reinventing yourself."

Asked how it feels to receive such support from the industry, Rahul told media persons here on Thursday: "Directors like Anurag Kashyap, Prakash (Jha), Sudhir (Mishra)... They all like these kinds of films. This is realistic cinema. It's very important that influential people in the industry support, appreciate and promote this kind of cinema. And I feel very happy about that."

Having done films like "Ugly", "Fitoor" and "Jai Gangaajal", Rahul is entering into a different zone with "Union Leader". Does it mark a new journey for him in the industry?

Rahul said: "I am very thankful that opportunities that are coming my way. This year looks very good. I have 'Union Leader' releasing on January 19, and then I have 'DaasDev' in March and probably 'Chakki' in June. There are more... I have five to six releases this year."

Written, directed and produced by Sanjay Patel, "Union Leader" also features Tillotama Shome, Jayesh More, Samvedna Suwalka and Jay Vithlani. The film is releasing on January 19.