Ronit; I am driven by instinct..

I am driven by instinct in life

RONIT ROY, actor

Couch potatoes have loved him as Mihir in Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thiand Mr Bajaj in Kasauti Zindagi Kay. But Ronit Roy doesnt take the being famous thing too seriously because he feels its an outcome of being on TV every day.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE IN LIFE?

THERE are too many to count and I dont know which one is the greatest. Ive dealt with a failed marriage, had to stay away from my kids, and battled alcoholism and poverty.

WHAT WAS MOST CHALLENGING FOR YOU AS A CHILD?

Actually, I had an easy childhood. My parents were wonderful people who ensured that I had to face no challenges as a child.

ARE YOU A PLAYER OR A STAYER?

I cannot play games just to create an opportunity for myself. But then, I guess I have learnt to be a combination of both traits in all these years.

WHAT WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW YOU WERE FAMOUS?

When your face appears every day on TV you automatically become famous. Its a gradual process. I wouldnt want to seek a defining moment, however, because I am still in doubt about my success. I prefer not to take the being famous thing very seriously.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF HEAVEN?

The happiness that I get when I am with my kids is bliss. Simply watching them grow is my idea of heaven.

ARE YOU AN OPEN BOOK WHEN IT COMES TO EMOTIONS?

I cant hide my emotions. My eyes well up instantly if I am sad. Similarly, I cant stop smiling if I am happy.

WOULD YOU CALL YOURSELF AN INSTINCTIVE ACTOR OR A METHOD ACTOR?

I am driven by instinct in life and have never been to acting school. So, whatever I do in front of the camera is driven by pure instinct. I am yet to understand what method acting is all about and in many ways I am glad its that way for me.

WHAT MOVIE COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR CHILDHOOD? WHY?

More than any movie, the one word that comes to mind is Dhishum. As a kid I only watched Amitabh Bachchan films. So, the image of all his action films comes to mind when I think of my childhood.

WHAT TURNS YOU ON IN LIFE?

Anything that inspires me to work harder turns me on.

RESPECTED ACTOR, SOMEWHAT LESS SUCCESSFUL, OR SUPERSTAR, SOMEWHAT LESS RESPECTED AS ACTOR?

I would like to be a respected human being first. Then, I want to be respected as a professional.

IS THERE REALLY SUCH A THING AS SCREEN CHEMISTRY?

Yes there is. I can talk of the chemistry I shared as Mr Bajaj with Shweta Tiwari, who played Prerna in Kasauti Zindagi Kay. The show lasted for eight years and even today people watch the re-runs.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS? I never have any regrets in life. DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?

I connect with God through meditation. I meditate whenever I can — at work between shoots, at home and even when I am travelling.

RICH AND FAMOUS, OR POOR AND ANONYMOUS?

I havent yet reached that stage in life where I can magnanimously say that I want to be poor and anonymous. So, its rich and famous for me as of now.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MOMENT OF DESPERATION?

The birth of my daughter Aador was a moment of desperation since we almost lost her. The doctors struggled for around five hours to save her.