Ronit Roy- The man who is king Article

There's more to Ronit Roy than the title of actor. He is a photographer, director, husband, father and a fine human being. It is surprising just how

much of a dichotomy television's biggest star is. He has more than cemented his place on the small screen and there appear to be very few frontiers

left to conquer. And yet the man remains as hungry and eager as if he were a rookie just about to make his first bid in Tellyland.

The uncrowned Badshah of Indian television. Yes, the man of honour, Ronit Roy has for more than two decades enthralled television audiences.

From the days of Doordarshan to NDTV Imagine's Bandini, this is one actor who has pushed the envelope and his limits and can be rightly called

the superstar of the small screen.

Ronit firmly believes in the survival of the toughest and it is this attitude that has helped him sail through several storms in his life. In spite of all the

adulation and success, complacency hasn't set in and Ronit considers himself a learning actor. In fact, he is considering going back to acting school!

In a freewheeling conversation with Jaahnavi P Paal, Ronit opens up about the various facets of his life. Read on….

Fans adore you…you even have a site created in your name called ronitroyrules.com…how is the feeling?

There is no ruling. The TRP is the king. Also, it's not the talent but the commercial success that counts. I agree with what Shah Rukh Khan says, 'stardom is determined every Friday.' People normally go through a good, bad and spectacular patch. I have seen it all - the ups and downs. In the entertainment industry, we talk of 'chadte suraj ko salam' so in that sense there is no Ronit Roy ruling. But I am glad that there is a site like ronitroyrules.com as it allows me to connect with my fans and see what they are thinking of my performances

and the show I am working in.

Does adulation get to you?

Not at all. I have always been in touch with my fans via smses, emails, chats and since a couple of months I am on Facebook. I think fans are far bigger and fairer critics than the media; no offence meant to professional critics. Fans are spontaneous and they are actually the tool of my growth. I can't forget that as an actor I am not thinking, I am neither an analyst nor a strategist. I just jump on the horse and ride it.

What do you attribute your long innings to?

All I can say is that I am blessed to get work. And from my end I try and raise the bar every time. I try and move things around, do things differently so that the viewers are not bored. Even in Kasautii I changed my look as Mr Bajaj for over six times whereas Cezanne Khan had a constant look throughout.

From your first serial Samjhauta on DD to your current one Bandini, what's the journey been like?

I would happy. I am a happy soul in any circumstance. At this point of time I have offers which could make me money fifty times more than I have. There is a lot of money in the industry. I have been in this field and I know how it works. But I am not chasing it, it will happen on its own. My wish is to die facing the camera.

You have been an assistant director, assistant editor, assistant cameraman, trainee editor. What is it that really interests you?

Essentially with me it has been survival. It doesn't matter how you survive. I have never ever looked down at any work. As a catering trainee when I used to wash dishes I used to be very proud to see how sparkling clean they would be. Even today I help all the departments if something is out of order. If somebody feels that at my level I can't do such jobs then it's their problem and not mine. I do what my heart says. I do a Sach ka Samna every day. I live in reality, there is no alter ego. If I went through a phase of alcoholism everybody knows about it. If I got over it, people know. I haven't done drugs in my life but I used to smoke occasionally. I am not a liar so I don't have to take the trouble of remembering my stories. I am not God but a normal human being. So I don't see myself

differently from anybody else. I will definitely not repeat my mistakes. I am wise enough to understand that those errors cannot be repeated. I am answerable and responsible to my family. People call me the Amitabh Bachchan of television so realising that the sense of responsibility grows. You cannot afford to add a stigma to that name.

It's been almost two decades since the advent of satellite television. Any prominent changes that you notice?

Not currently. But I have been in talks with seniors who are looking at this business from a new angle, as per the trend in the west. I don't know how effective that would be. It sounds good on paper. Like will you end a show which is enjoying high TRPs only because its season ends? It's a commercial decision one has to take. Take the example of Uttaran which weeks back touched the TRP of 7.02. At that stage if the season ends will you pull it off? Will its second season have the same kind of curiosity? All these questions are unanswered.

Is television a director's medium?

I did direct a bit of Bandini. Often a director can swing a substandard scene around. TV is about scenes apart from the main track. It's also how engrossing you can make the scene so that your viewer does not switch. Vice-versa a bad director can also mess up a well-written scene. Sometimes even an able director cannot deliver because of lack of time, talent or various other reasons.

Is Bandini reaching a logical conclusion or is there a lot more to go….what if it does?

Firstly I don't know what is happening. I have been hearing a lot years in the film industry in various departments and learned from various people. But my submission is that I have

completed only the first leg towards being an actor today. That's the differentiation

between being a commercially successful star and an actor. Initially, I wanted to be a

star but now I want to be an actor. I am going back to school because I feel the need to

learn more.

How has the craft of acting evolved over the years?

Acting cannot be evolved. Going by the craft, I have not studied it. I don't know it's a, b,

c…. but I have my own grammar. That's why I say acting has not evolved, actors have. I

think the entire entertainment industry is poised to turn around again. It will be much

more realistic. The audience's viewpoint is changing.

Do you see any competition in your space?

In my space there cannot be any competition because I am blessed and lucky at my age to play the protagonist with a 17- year- old. How many actors on television have that opportunity? In every show I have done, I have been a replacement. Also I have never been a lead actor but a character actor and that I always wanted to be. So the competition is not much. Right now people who figure in my niche are Mohnish Behl and Parmeet Sethi, but he is directing now. There would have been a lot of actors in this zone but they are doing other things. I am neither too old nor young. I am actually quite misplaced as I am 45 and my co-stars are half or less than half my age. Ram Kapoor, who is 12 years younger to me, is a very good actor. He would definitely be in my zone and also have an edge over me as he can do things that I would not be able to.

Since a year you have had just one show keeping you busy. Is that creatively satisfying?

Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. That happens with every show which has its highs and lows. So when it goes through a downslide there is a little bit of frustration and when you go up there is elation. But for me both failure and success drive me. I don't know how much and how far it is true. When Kyunki went off air everybody was sad and I was the saddest. Whenever a long association ends every good thing comes to an end. That's why success and failure never move me as nothing is permanent. But a respectable and logical end is what Kyunki deserved because it was a pioneer show of sorts, it resurrected a lot of careers, it made new stars. It set a path for a host of other shows and made lots of money for the channel and the production house. It was like throwing an old man into the gutter. Whether Bandini or any other show ends, it should be done respectfully and amicably, in a nice way.

You have done very few shows beyond Balaji. Do we see you move out of your comfort zone?

Logistically what tomorrow brings I don't know. I am never going to say no to good work. Ekta has always given me these roles and freedom to create it. There have been times when we fought and I have gone with her creative vision which has worked for me. Over the years apart from the comfort factor there is also a trust factor between us which I am not sure will be possible with another maker as ours has been a journey of over a decade. Even while working with Bajaj she has let me go the other way. So creatively it has been a very fruitful relationship.

Any particular individuals who have been growth contributors?

The first name that comes to my mind is that of Ekta Kapoor. I have won 30-40 awards because I have been working for Balaji. But that's not the reason why I am saying so. She had the courage to trust me; she could have taken any actor to play my roles but she chose me. Ekta is very instrumental in my success and has let me experiment.

What are the challenges an actor faces in today's scenario?

The biggest challenge is to become an actor. I can safely say that I have spent 25 years in the film industry in various departments and learned from various people. But my submission is that I have completed only the first leg towards being an actor today. That's the differentiation between being a commercially successful star and an actor. Initially, I wanted to be a star but now I want to be an actor. I am going back to school because I feel the need to learn more.

Your fans loved you in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. Do we see you on any more reality shows?

No I don't really see myself in a reality show. But I would have loved to do a show

like Pati Patni Aur Woh. It's a sweet concept where no one's there to outdo each other, no politics and no internal wars.

What about Bigg Boss?

It doesn't excite me. No offence to anybody but is it for real? Maybe yes but I am not sure. I have kids for whom I have to earn my daily bread that's why I pray I don't have to be in those circumstances. I like to retain my respectability. What I have gone through doing these shows is reality which is not created. I am not blaming anybody. I understand that's the format which excites people, sells the concept and that's why we are paid more. But honestly on a personal level it gets on my nerves.

Does a show like Sach Ka Saamna excite you?

I watched a few episodes. As a host the show would excite me but stripping my self in public, no. Everybody has their skeletons and I am not scared of them. I always take blame for my deeds. I am not ashamed of them because they are the stages of my life and I can safely say that I have corrected most of my errors. I have two kids at home. I would not give anyone the control of my past which can be manipulated and sold for commercial benefits.

Many actors have opted for anchoring. Does it excite you?

Yes that's an arena that I would like to explore. I really like Hussain in this aspect. It's an exciting job where there is a script and at times you can be on your own. I would like

to be in that position.

Of the current lot of actors who has made an impression on you?

Since the past one year I have been working only on Bandini. There's a blend of

the new actors and veterans like Sameer Kakkar and Rasika Joshi. I am stuck somewhere in the middle. From Bandini I think Prerna (Kadambari) and Shardul (Maulik) are very promising. Both are very committed and wanting to learn and push themselves as actors. But overall, all the youngsters in the show are fired up..

Which current shows house the best talent?

I haven't watched much television. Also from the past one year I have been solely working in Bandini. But I am sure shows like Yeh Rishta.. Balika Vadhu, Uttaran, Bairi Piya ,Laado which enjoy high TRPs have good talent.

Ronit is angry, hot headed, impulsive and at times even violent. Defend yourself. Let's start with being impulsive which is 99.9% correct because I am not a visionary,

strategist or an analyst. So that makes me impulsive. I go by my gut. My parents have given me a good upbringing so my impulses are positive. Secondly, I am probably on the

lowest level of violence. Notion is that I am a very violent person because that's what is

written at times and is majorly blown out of proportion. I don't blame the media as spice

needs to be added. I have also been accused of rape but there was neither a victim nor

any witness. It was a third party story who nobody knew. That's not responsible

reporting. I asked for a tape which they said was on record but they never produced it.

Anyways my family is very supportive of me because I am an open person. There are a

few things that make me angry, first being mediocrity. 80% of what people say about

me is not true. When I shoot with a new director he is always scared for some reason

and by the end of the shift he comes to my room and says 'Dada it was so nice working

with you. I was so scared in the morning because I had heard so much about you'.

What are your weaknesses?

I am an emotional person. I don't think I will ever learn to exploit for material gain because I always put my job, my talent before commercialisation. It's not that I have not made money. Sometimes I have worked free. I hate taking money from friends. Apart

from this my family is my weakness.

Have you ever experienced financial insecurity?

In the early days when there was no finance there was no question of insecurity. It comes at a stage where one has children or when you have something to lose. There have been nights I have spent in the open, like during college I couldn't enter my room as I was sharing it with someone and on account of being late the warden wouldn't let me in. I am a firm believer in destiny. I know my children have their own destiny and I know celestially how life is going be. We are humans and life cannot be perfect. As

I am a father I have parental concerns but I will be there trying to buffer the fall if there

is any.

How much has your wife, Neelam helped in stabilizing you?

Work has played a major role in my life. For 4-5 years I shot round the clock as I had

three shows. My work didn't permit me to do anything else. That was the time I got married and had a baby within a year. It's not that I was not a gentleman but it was my wife who engraved that factor in me. When we met, I was at the crossroads of my life. I was already married and had a daughter. I was done with it and wanted to spend life by

myself. I never wanted to go through it again. But Neelam and mine has been a very

progressive story. We met and became pally. We later dated and the question of marriage did pop to which I said no. It was not that she convinced me to marry, we debated and she came out victorious. Over the time she changed my psyche

about marriage, maybe being a family man was what I was but somehow it was a cover

which she lifted. I don't believe in the social circuit. My free time is for my family. So I am

really happy that she made me realize my other side and because of her I have two

beautiful children and a peaceful home today.

Your daughter is in New York. Are you in touch with her?

I am in touch with her as much as distance permits. I was there this year for her graduation from school to college. She calls me dad and it's like being any other parent. There is no over display of affection but an extremely strong bond, there is no malice between our families. My ex wife and I have left behind our past and even my daughter

understands it. We have our father daughter time as and when possible a n d

e v e n h e r mother allows that.

How do you chill out after a stressful day of work?

I don't understand the concept of chilling and stress. I am angry one moment and diffuse the anger in a jiffy. I don't know what stress management is. I don't like tension hanging on for long because I feel it's a waste of time. We live a very small life and so in my life there is no place for such these things. To answer your question, for me the idea of relaxing is to chill at home. I like to sleep those extra hours and watch films. I love to hang around on a shack in Goa or have my drink or take the scooter and enjoy a sea ride. But after two days I am bored of that too. I am not somebody who needs a lot of time off. I get bored. I cannot think of going on a sabbatical as I am someone who wants to face the camera even on the last day of my life..

Do you socialize with the acting fraternity?

I do socialize but it's very unfortunate that it's a show-to-show relation.

Going by your astrological chart, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I don't take astrology seriously. I take its aid to guide me through life.

Ok, even otherwise, where do you see yourself after 5 years?

I see myself probably in a different zone, at a higher zone. If the destiny is about to favour me I would rather be ready. You just can't trust destiny alone and that's why I intend to go back to school, to the actor's studio. I consider myself a student in every waking moment of my life. My eyes and senses are always open to a lesson to be learnt.