/> The bad news on Rahul Bose's front is that his second directorial venture Moth Smoke (his first directorial film Everybody Says I'm Fine came 5 years ago) based on Moshin Hamid's celebrated novel is delayed because the financiers have pulled out.

"That's true. The originals funders have backed out. But there's no dearth of altenative funders. I've the rights for four years, of which only one year has elapsed. So there's time."

Though after he broke his nose for the umpteeth time this February Rahul has retired from Indian rugby, he will continue to play the game internationally for as long as they'd have him.

"You really can't take a rugby player out of the game. It's hugely addictive.And though cinema is my primary passion I also remain a rugby player at heart, " says Rahul Bose who turned 42 on Monday without fanfare.

"I never have what you'd call a normal birthday. Last year during my birthday the Ahmedabad bomb blasts happened. This year I was with my six adopted kids at the The Foundation."

Rahul has six children from the Andamans who who orphaned during the Tsunami. "Spending time with them gives me immense satisfaction. On my birthday I had lunch with my sister and niece and dinner with author Amitav Ghosh and his wife who are dear friends. Sorry, my Bollywood connection continues to be tenuous."

So how does it feel to be 42?

"I'm waiting for all my hair to fall off before my first face lift, " Rahul deadpans. "And before you ask I still have no love life."

Rahul who dated actress Koel Puri in the past has been single in recent years.

Ends Rahul, "I'm very excited about my new film with Aparna Sen The Japanese Wife. Like English August, Pyar Ke Side Effects and Jhankar Beats I feel The Japanese Wife will be one those films that people will remember me by."