He tasted success with shows such as Swabhimaan, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, Viraasat and Sarrkkar, among others, but the last two-three years have not been particularly good for Rohit Roy.
Now, the TV actor has taken up an unconventional role in a new show. When we caught up with him, he opened up about his work, future projects and how sibling rivalry was never an issue with him and his famous brother, actor Ronit Roy.
You’ve played the young hero in your TV shows and now you are essaying the role of a station master in your new show. Were you anxious about the change in image?
I was nervous before taking up the show. I had doubts about whether people would accept me in the non-glamorous character of a station master. No one expected me to take up such a role. I am happy with the response. When you go through two-three years of lull in your career, you start doubting things. Even my earlier shows, Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein and Hitler Didi, didn’t work. So, I had started doubting myself, wondering what I should do next.
Your brother, Ronit, is very successful on TV and has also made a mark in films. How do you handle comparisons with him?
Ronit has really grown as an actor and he’s big on TV. He’s gone into another league. I had tears in my eyes when I saw Udaan (2010), and he told me he was impressed with my performance in my new TV show. We are happy with each other’s success and have been there for each other during our lows. We never faced sibling rivalry. In fact, I will make a film with him next year, as I have a script with him in mind.
You have done numerous shows and films, but of late, you have been maintaining a low profile. Why?
It isn’t deliberate. For the past one-and-a-half years, I was working on directing a remake of Shaukeen, so I didn’t take up any film or TV project. But things didn’t work out with the remake. I was irked and went through an irritable phase. But the lull in work in Mumbai helped me get Bengali films. I did three of them and they all worked well. Later, I didn’t get any project worth my while. I won’t lie and say I got many scripts which I didn’t like. Had this show not come my way, I might not have done anything else this year.
Though primarily an actor, you enjoy direction and writing too. Does that confuse people when they approach you for work?
Not really. I am currently working on my next directorial with a big producer. The project will be shot this year, but I can’t reveal more at this juncture. I am working on the script with my writers. I have finished Madhur Bhandarkar’s next and, besides my TV show, I am currently doing a play with Mona Singh. I won’t say I am multi-talented, but I am ambidextrous for sure (laughs). My body of work on TV is better than in films, and my biggest show was Swabhimaan (1995-97). I have always maintained that I am a TV actor, who also does films.