Bose: Dead/Alive is the most ambitious project for me: Rajkummar Rao

The actor will be seen playing the role of Netaji in the series.

Rao made this comment while attending a press conference along with creative producer Hansal Mehta and producer Ekta Kapoor.

The web series, which will go on streaming live from Nov 20, centred on the mystery regarding Netaji's death.

The series of nine episodes will go streaming on the ALTBalaji app and the website.

Rao, who is portraying Bose on screen, divulged how he had to go through the entire process of acting in the film.

When specifically asked by IBNS about the research works and preparations for the character, Rao said: "There were lot of research works needed to play Netaji's life on screen because I never imagined myself to play the character (Netaji's character). So I started to gain weights by having sweets."

"Apart from the physical transformations, I loved Bengali language which Patralekha (co-actor) helped me a lot (to learn). For me, as an actor, the internal transformation is more important than the physical ones so I read lot of books, available biographies and also went to Bose's place just to have that connect with his (Netaji's) belongings."

The actor even went on to take a major step to bring about a physical transformation by shaving his head, to look similar to Netaji.

"In a way yes (most difficult). Playing Netaji (on screen) was not an easy task for me. But the script was so well researched, I had (developed) the faith in the script. My duty was to get through the script and to get the authenticity right and make him (on screen Netaji) believable, humane and not filmy...," he said.

Patralekha, who made her debut with Rajkummar Rao in Hansal Mehta directorial film 'Citylights', is playing an integral character in the film.

Speaking about the initial feeling of getting a role in the film, Patralekha said: "When I was asked by Hansal Mehta to appear for the test, I was overwhelmed. I found myself fortunate."

"I am just happy to be a part of the film" the actress said.

Patralekha will be playing a rebellious Bengali girl's role in 'Bose: Dead or Alive'. Her character's name will be Nandini, who believes in Bose's ideology.

The web series is made under Ekta Kapoor's production team, ALTBalaji.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)