THE RONITIAN HUB - Page 5

Ronit Roy is riding the crest of the wave right now.

An assortment of jobs later, this Ahmedabadi boy had just settled into Bollywood when his debut film completed a silver-jubilee run in almost every city except Mumbai.

Disappointment loomed large but he overcame the odds to start his own security agency for providing safety options to some of the top stars. Great idea! And after all, he had to keep the kitchen fires burning!

Today though, he is the talk of the town for quite something else - as Rishabh Bajaj in Kasauti Zindagii Kay and Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi!! The way people have responded to his portrayal of Bajaj and Mihir is unprecedented. People see him on the streets and stop in amazement. Married women kiss his hand and their husbands don't seem to feel jealous. He goes for a friend's party and is accosted by all kinds of people. Apparently, they think he has done a terrific job in both serials. (And he has. Even though he is morally in the red, his gamut of emotions especially in Kyunki... make you sympathise with his character.)

Shooting at Indiclay in Goregaon, he takes time off in his make-up room to talk to Vickey Lalwani.

Let's begin with a cliched question. Did you always want to be an actor?
(smiles) Yes. My childhood was spent in Ahmedabad. Friends in school used to tease me, 'Go to Mumbai if you want to be a hero. What are you hanging here for?' I came down to Mumbai when I was just a teenager. I worked with Subhash Ghai for a year. I knew him, and in fact, was living in his house. Initially, he dissuaded me from joining the film world, saying that this field is very, very 'speculative'.

By 'speculative', he meant that there is no guarantee. You may be riding the crest one moment, you fall into a trough the next. I agree with him. Bharat Bhushan, who was the best actor of yesteryears according to me, died without anybody near his bedside. I know of a famous former actor who has been seen begging on the streets, these days. Raj Kiran was reduced to driving a taxi.

Anyway, I worked as a management trainee at the Sea Rock Hotel in Mumbai. A year later, my dad expired. Something snapped and I quit my job. I went back to Ghai and joined him as an assistant director. During that stint, I realised that I'd need at least 10 years before I become a force to reckon with in direction. I could not wait. I joined Sanjeev Sharma and Mansoor Khan's company 'Pilot Communications' to learn cinema, which was a faster process than learning direction.

Later, I branched out to become a freelance editor. I edited lots of stuff for Ghai and went on to set up his video division too. I was involved with the setting up of Drishti India Limited. I directed 25 episodes of the revamped Chitrahaar on Doordarshan and even some commercials. I even modelled in some ads.

How did your debut film 'Jaan Tere Naam' happen?
While I was an editor, I was just pressing buttons. Due to a lack of mobility, I had put on lots of weight. The makers auditioned me, but I got bounced. They went on to cast someone else. When they took that guy's re-audition, they found that he had a problem with dialogue delivery. I was recalled and asked to reduce my weight.

That flick did fairly well. What happened after that?
After my debut film was a hit, I did 12-13 other films, but due to various reasons they did not work. Some films were wrong, some people were wrong. There was nobody to advise me. I could not control the situation.

I decided to start anew. I started my own security agency called 'Ace Security and Protection'. On the acting front, I decided to exercise patience and restraint and waited for the right opportunities to come by.

Looking back at those 12-13 film projects which I did, I analyse that I was doing a very boring job. I rarely had the chance to be myself and experiment coolly, unlike what I do on television these days. Television gives you more creative freedom than films.

Tell us about 'Ace Security and Protection'...
Lagaan was my first big break, so to speak. It was the acid test of my potential. There was a scene that needed 10,000 people running behind Aamir Khan. I had to arrange the 200 trucks bringing in those villagers, who were all understandably very excited to meet Aamir. Now, those people were supposed to stop at a particular point, but they didn't.

I almost panicked but we managed to bring the situation under control. We whisked Aamir away to a safe location on the sets and then had him speak to the 10,000 villagers, all bursting to catch a glimpse of him. Besides, making sure that they all left the location satisfied and did not create any ruckus was also important.

Thereafter, we handled major films like Dil Chahta Hai, Yaadein, Na Tum Jano Na Hum, Saathiya and Armaan.

I have a wonderful equation with Aamir Khan, courtesy Lagaan. He is extremely cooperative. It is interesting to provide security for stars and productions, who understand the imperative value and need for security. Hrithik, too, is extremely cooperative. He is always ready to listen and act according to the needs of the security personnel and the situations that arise. Likewise with any other star I have been chosen to cover and protect.

All my boys are trained in martial arts and other security techniques. Besides, they have been trained to deal with the stars and situations.

And then came the role of Rishabh Bajaj?
After three years of business, Balaji Telefilms called me first for Kammal, then they wanted me to take up Rishabh Bajaj's role in Kasautii.... Then came Mihir Virani in Kyunki.... And the rest, as they say, is history (smiles).

How does it feel to be a TV artiste?
Grrrrreat. Today, a TV artiste is far more popular than a film one. Believe me, I have barely slept in one week, in the days when both these Balaji serials needed me to shoot, come what may. And I have no complaint about the physical exertion. If you are on a high, as I am after playing the two characters of Bajaj and Mihir, you won't feel the exertion.

If your mental make-up is great, your physical stress can never take the better of you. And before you ask me whether my family life gets disturbed due to odd hours of work, let me say 'Yes, but that's the name of the game. You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you get something like this, you "have to" play it. You can't be riding such a popularity wave and dictating your work terms of limited hours of input (smiles).

The character of Mihir had already been played by two actors (Amarr Upadhyay and Inder Kumar) previously. What made you accept the role?
After playing the character of Bajaj, I wanted to do something which would be bigger than Bajaj. Balaji and the directors of the serial had turned Mihir's character into an icon. When I was offered this role, I was given only four hours to decide. There were too many expectations, but I took it up. There were some people who even told me that I won't be able to make Mihir as famous as Bajaj. Today, Mihir has raced ahead of Bajaj. I have always performed better in pressured situations. Tell me, didn't I live up to my tendency even this time? (smiles).

Whom do you lean on while working?
I depend on the director and my co-stars. Even if the script is terrific, a bad director can easily screw it up. Also, you build a certain degree of competition which infuses enthusiasm when the co-stars are competent. Their positive energy rubs off on me. In Kyunki..., this happens when I am with anybody, be it Smriti Mahotra/Apara Mehta/ Aman Varma or anyone else, as I believe that each person in this serial has something special about him/her.

Frankly, I don't consider myself a very good actor (smiles). What I mean is, I have to work very hard to get it right sometimes.

Has the Mihir you portray now reached the popularity level enjoyed by Amarr Upadhyay?
I don't want to reach Amarr's stage. That was a hysteria created by the turn in the story. If you remember, even Bajaj's death sometime ago did create some hysteria, which of course did not match the one that happened when Mihir died. It even happened (the death of the hero)in Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand recently. When Mihir died, the hero on Indian television had been killed for the first time. That hysteria would not be a satisfying experience for me. I am enjoying the fact that my performance is doing the talking.

Are there any similarities between Bajaj and Ronit?
There are a few similarities. Bajaj must be very well brought up, just like me. But there are a whole lot of differences too. Unlike me, Bajaj is very ruthless when it comes to business decisions. I have never snatched other people's work or played dirty politics. I have immense faith in destiny. Whatever I deserve, I will get. Nobody can take that away. Generally, Bajaj dons three-piece suits, while I can be seen in a casual jeans and T-shirt.

How closely do you identify with the "new" Mihir, I mean, the Mihir who had a one-night stand with Mandira?
(laughs). I think the earlier Mihir was entirely white. There is no person on earth who does not have shades of grey. So, I am enjoying this track where he committed one mistake in his life. Even Lord Ram faltered when asked his wife Sita to undergo 'agnipariksha' (ordeal by fire)! We are mere human beings!! Don't human beings cheat on their wives?

Besides, I am 37 and I am playing someone who is about 45. So there's not much of a gap. Actually, I have a 12-year old daughter. It's easy to put myself into Mihir's shoes and think of Sumeet Sachdev, Hiten Tejwani, Ritu Chaudhary, or any other youngster, as my own child. In fact, often, even after the shooting is over, you'll see me calling them 'beta' !

But doesn't the fact that both your characters require you to play more than your age, worry you?
Give me one good reason as to why it should cause a worry. I think that your entire perspective about a character changes when you think that you are a star. I want to be an actor, and in fact, I am an actor. To an actor, it should not matter whether he is playing an older person or a younger one. If you are 37, how can the hero too in the story be 37? A story is fiction. It can turn even the other way round if and when it goes into a flashback.

For example, I recently went Australia to shoot for Kyunki... where I had to play Mihir as he was 20 years ago. Here my character became very much younger than what I have been portraying currently. So, any day, any time, you might be playing someone much younger. In fact, this unpredictability is exciting. The key is to adapt to the character along with the changes introduced in it. That is the essence of acting.

It's known as Boobtube Fatigue. With Indian television developing its own star system a handful of the big players on television are ready to hold the medium to ransom.

But big-time TV star Ronit Roy discovered he had taken on more than he could handle when he decided to do a new daily Sarrkkar...Risshton Ki Ankahi Kahani on Zee TV in direct opposition to Ektaa Kapoor's Kasautii Zindagii Kay which has turned Ronit into a household name and is undoubtedly his main claim to fame.

When the popular TV actor tried to extend his reach to another channel, producer Ektaa Kapoor clipped his wings. She gave a him a choice: either he continues playing the popular character Mr Bajaj on the ever-popular Kasautii Zindagii Kay, or he could move on to the new soap.

Ronit has wisely opted to stay on in Kapoor's serial. Laughs Ektaa Kapoor, "It wasn't a show of strength or my attempt to prove how powerful I am. Ronit is a dear friend and a very important actor in our serial. I had no objection to Ronit doing another serial. But to my horror I came to know that Sarrkkar... was slotted at the same time as my Kasautii…. Surely, we couldn't have Ronit competing against himself. That's unethical. I offered him the option of leaving our show. He has kindly decided to stay on."

The question is, what happens to the Shobhaa De-written Sarrkkar... where Ronit plays the pivotal role of a wounded chief minister's elder son? Ronit's real-life brother Rohit Roy stars as his brother.

Ronit has stopped shooting for Sarrkkar with immediate effect, thereby putting the whole project into a quandary.

It would seem extremely odd to see another actor playing Ronit Roy's character so early into the plot. But that's the fast-growing medium for you. Changes aren't only inevitable they are also the tragic downside where actors have become commodities for sale to the highest bidder.

THE SMALL SCREEN SARRKKAR

Looking at the number of reality shows, foreign inspired serials and GenX shows on air these days, it is clear that each channel is trying to beat the other when it comes to offering variety. In this rat race Zee TV is certainly not lagging behind. The latest from their kitty is a daily political drama, Sarrkkar — Rishton Ki Ankahi Kahani, that is totally removed from the 'now so boring' saas-bahu genre. Penned by Shobhaa De, Sarrkkar was launched on Zee TV in the last week of April.

THE PEOPLE, THE PART

The very accomplished Divya Seth (once so famous in serials like Daraar, Hum Log, Sparsh, Banegi Apni Baat) returns to television after a long hiatus. And real-life Roy brothers, Ronit and Rohit, famous TV stars in their own right, are seen together onscreen for the first time ever. They play brothers in the serial, too.

Here Divya Seth plays the head of a political family who is caught between her family and the power games of high politics. Her character is thrown into the hot seat when her Chief Minister husband gets assassinated. She expects her sons to stand by her. But things are not all that smooth because the mother and the sons don't see eye to eye at all. And thereafter comes the various twists and turns. Mouli Ganguly is the family's daughter and Tisca Chopra and Shweta Salve are the two daughters-in-law.

THE COMEBACKS

Divya Seth's comeback is all set to give a lot of competition to all primetime stars which includes the saas-bahu brigade and other leading ladies. Even Divya's mother, Sushma Seth (a veteran herself), seen in Star's new prime-time daily, Miilee, might get overshadowed.

Sarrkkar also gives a chance to Ronit Roy to break out of the mould. For some years now Ronit has been seen doing the same old repetitive stuff in KyunKi…Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi… and Kausautii Zindagii Kay. Though his decision has enraged Ektaa Kapoor (there was this big controversy lately of Ektaa getting offended because of Ronit's bulk dates to Sarrkkar), it gives him a tremendous scope to grow as an actor.

THE FOCUS

As the story progresses, the roles of the four female characters will get even more significant in the serial. Though Mouli Ganguly, Tisca Chopra and Shweta Salve are established names in the world of television, Sarrkkar is expected to give them further mileage. Tisca had a small but interesting role in Astitva — Ek Prem Kahaani and was seen in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (and the film Hyderabad Blues 2 also). Shweta was known for serials Lipstick and Kitty Party and Mouli had become famous with Kahin Kissi Roz, Saakshi and later Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam. Sarrkkar would probably give them a chance to better their skills. Because after a certain point the serial would become completely woman-centric.

THE CONFIDENCE

But will Sarrkkar be as popular as Swabhimaan, which was also written by Shobhaa De and had set high standards for television programming 10 years ago? Interestingly, Swabhimaan had made Rohit Roy a household name. Speaking at the launch Shobhaa De had this to say — "It is a script that is very close to my heart. I am glad that Zee TV has shown such confidence in the serial. I, in turn, am assured that the actors will do complete justice to the script and bring out its true essence." Shobhaa had also written the earlier soap, Kitty Party, produced by the same production house, Siddhant CineVision.

THE CONTROVERSIES

There were debatable issues related to the serial from the time Sarrkkar took off with confidence. First, there were talks that the story was inspired by the Gandhi family, which did not go down well with many people. In a way the story seems to be inspired by the Gandhi family though it has not been acknowledged by either the producers or the channel. Divya Seth's hairstyle looks very much like the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's.

Then, a little known writer accused Shobhaa De of plagiarism. The queen of soaps Ektaa Kapoor wasn't too happy about her leading man Ronit Roy working outside her banner. Both sides have still not reached a decision and Ronit at the moment remains in both the camps.

In spite of a really good storyline and good performances the serial failed to receive the desired TRPs. The good old cat fights (the saas-bahu sagas) on the other channels continued to rule.

THE FIGHTBACK

But the makers of such an ambitious project would hardly give up this way. New elements were brought in. A track inspired by the Marine Drive rape case, which shook Mumbai not very long ago, was introduced (the track involved Divya Seth's onscreen daughter Mouli Ganguly who witnesses the rape of her friend by a cop).

Now the makers seem to have understood the pulse of the audience fully. It's surprising but true that family dramas are far more appreciated. Insiders have revealed that Sarrkkar is slowly changing into a family drama. Although the producers, the channel and other related people continue to remain diplomatic, the obvious reason for the change is definitely the low TRPs. The producer of Sarrkkar, Manish Goswami, who heads Siddhant Cinevision, says, "After the culmination of the the Marine Drive track comes the track which would focus on the marriage of the characters of Ronit Roy and Shweta Salve." So from now on the politics in the serial would obviously be less.

THE BOTTOMLINE

Rohit Roy, the lead actor, defends, "Sarrkkar was never a docudrama on Indian politics. It always meant to focus more on the politics of human relations." Looking at the tastes of the general viewers, the change seems to be a wise decision on the part of the makers. The political dramas till now (Mahayagya, Pradhan Mantri, etc) have been mediocre. Hopefully now, with a correct mix of both (family drama and politics), Sarrkkar would have better luck.