Talking point with Ronit roy

Posted: Jan 19, 2009 at 0107 hrs IST

Television's most famous face returns with yet another Balaji serial

How different is Bandini on NDTV Imagine going to be from the other Balaji serials?
In the beginning, everyone has a vision, but eventually I don't know how different it will turn out to be. If the vision is maintained, then it will be different. I have shot for a considerable amount of time for this show and what I see as different is the portrayal of characters.

characters. What is the show about?
Bandini is the tale of a young girl who is forced into a marriage of convenience with an elderly man twice her age. It is set against a rural backdrop and it traces the journey of the young girl and her husband. It is all about how destiny binds two strangers together.

You again play an elderly man in the serial. Is it a continuation of the character Mr Bajaj?
I don't play an elderly man, I am an elderly man. I don't know why people think I am 25. But I play a little above my age. But it is not like any other character that I have played before, but it does have a few common traits with Mr Bajaj. He is a wealthy, self-made man who is proud of his achievements

Bandini is introducing a lot of new faces. Is this a changing phase in television?
In 2008, I had said that the faces of television will change. And that is exactly what is happening. Young boys and girls are ruling the arena right now. I had also said that the serial content in 2009 will be really strong. And Bandini also has a strong content. It is a very tentative and searching phase for TV, but I am sure it will find its spot again. Mr Bajaj or Mihir Virani? Which character do you closely relate to and which one do you miss playing on screen?
Of course I miss playing the roles. When you play a character for almost eight years, it becomes a part of you and you imbibe certain characters. The character of Mihir has made me a better family man. I was all over the place before that. And Mr Bajaj has helped increase my self-respect and self-esteem. These two characters changed my direction in life.

You play Bheeshma in Kahaani Hamarey Mahabharat Kii. How difficult is it to switch roles between daily soaps and mythology?
It is all about running the first 100 metres. Then you fall into a pattern and after that it gets easy playing any character. I am always nervous when I have to play a new role, but then with time I start living i

Any upcoming projects?
Currently I have not been offered anything interesting. In films, I am reading a few scripts. But nothing is certain as of now.