Rahul Roy (Aashiqui) has patched up with mentor Mahesh Bhatt. Roy will now play an important role in Vishesh Films' forthcoming film, entitled Showbiz.
Roy is apparently fed up with his TV assignments. Currently seen in Doordarshan's Ehsaas and Talash, Roy says, "Television is good, but I want to return to films. I can't sit out anymore. I am desperate to bounce back. I want to be talked about again. I went to Bhattsaab and requested him for a role."
He adds, "I want to wrap up with Ehsaas and Talaash. We are working out those things. These producers stood by me in my tough days. So, I can't walk out on them in a huff."
Comeback film
Roy's current film kitty (Meri Aashiqui, Rafta Rafta, Dushman, Charkha) is not promising; rather, these are hardly heard of! Naturally, he is banking largely on Showbiz.
Apparently inspired by India TV's Sting Operation, Showbiz will dwell on the casting couch, spycams, camera phones, and sting operations. Cashing in on the hype, the Bhatts have also cast Shakti Kapoor in the film. Rahul Roy will play an insensitive media baron who has no qualms with enroaching on celebrities' private lives.
To be directed by Mohit Suri, who will also direct Blue Film (Kunal Khemu, Smiley, Deepal Shaw) for the Bhatts, the film will also star Bhatt's nephew (and favourite) Emraan Hashmi.
Rahul slipped
(No) thanks to Pyaar Ka Saaya and Baarish, both with Sheeba, Rahul plummeted into the pits.
His mentor Mahesh Bhatt then tried to revive his career with Junoon and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee, both with his firebrand daughter Pooja Bhatt. But soon, the mentor and the muse had a fallout.
Thereafter, Rahul did some really trashy films. "Frankly, I was in a hurry. I put too much on my plate. Plus I signed many wrong films," he admits.
Parted ways with Mahesh Bhatt
Says Roy, "I was Bhattsaab's blue-eyed boy and suddenly he decided not to cast me anymore. He candidlly told me that he could not sell the film if I were a part of it. I took it very badly. I had become very possessive of him."
Turned to television
He turned to television. After all, he had no choice. His first dabble in the world of TV, Sattee Shourie's Kaise Kahun? (Zee), failed to create a flutter. He was next seen in Karishma — The Miracles Of Destiny (Sahara)as a plastic surgeon in love with Sheeba (yet again), but was unceremoniously dropped after 20 episodes. Later, he was reduced to doing serials on Doordarshan.
Film-making plans
Sudhakar Bokade tried to launch him as a director with Mera Joota Hai Japani, but the film didn't take off due to financial constraints. Rahul then planned a film with Manoj Bajpai in the lead. The film dealt with a mentally challenged father bringing up his daughter with the help of his friends. The ambitious project crashed before take-off.
Other things in life
Rahul also runs a company that imports raw wool and LED boards. "No matter that my business is not doing badly, I still want to come back and get noticed in a decent role. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Showbiz."
He adds with a wink, "Once an actor, always an actor. I miss the fame of the past," says the teacher-turned-actor, who rocked in his debut Aashiqui and sent the young and the restless running to their hair stylists to ape his hairstyle.
