Bollywood

I don’t want to disappoint Akshay: Ronit Roy

Kavita Awaasthi, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, January 21, 2013

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First Published: 15:48 IST(21/1/2013)
Last Updated: 15:51 IST(21/1/2013)

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Popular and how: As a TV actor you grow with experience, says Ronit Roy, senior TV actor who is currently working in the television courtroom drama, Adaalat

He might be juggling multiple Bollywood films currently, but actor Ronit Roy isn’t shying away from his TV commitments. The latest we’ve heard is that he will be playing a baddie in Akshay Kumar’s upcoming film Boss. We chat with him about the project, his TV shows and working with

Deepa Mehta in Midnight’s Children.

Playing a villain for the first time in a film must be exciting.
Yes it’s my first film as the ‘main’ villain. Although Boss is a remake of a south movie, the script has been changed a lot. Working with Akshay and Tony (director Anthony D’Souza) was great as I have known them for years.

Tell us more about your bare-body fight scene with Akshay?
Well, I am working towards getting fitter for the same. Time is a problem, as I shoot 17-18 hours a day. Hence, doing extensive training is hard. So, I am brushing up on martial arts and Krav Maga. It’s challenging as both my knees aren’t in the best shape. I have a torn meniscus (knee cartilage), which I sustained while practising martial arts. Also, I have a bad back, so even doing a cardio workout requires five times more effort than usual. I have to be careful about certain movements. I’ll also practise stunts before filming. Akshay is a legendary actor so I don’t want to disappoint him, which is why I am working harder than ever.

You are doing very few TV shows. Are you planning to focus only on movies now?
I get offers from TV but there’s only so much time that I can spare. Last year was extremely hectic for me. I shot for Midnight’s Children, Student Of The Year, Shootout At Wadala, Anurag Kashyap’s Ugly and Boss.

Have you ever felt the desire to leave Adaalat as your career is soaring in movies?
No. It’s my commitment to the producer, channel. Adaalat’s doing well and over 100 families (of crewmembers) are surviving on it. So I have a sense of responsibility towards the show. We work really hard on it, as working in a bi-weekly thriller is tougher than working on a daily soap. In a soap, you have 15 actors who can share footage, but here, it’s a courtroom drama with just me.

How was the experience of working in Midnight’s Children?
Working with Deepa (Mehta) was stupendous. It was great to feel the love of the people at the Toronto film festival, where the film was screened last year.