Three years after his last show, Swaran Ghar, Ronit Roy is back on the small screen. For the actor, television isn’t just another medium – it’s home. He says, “My second lease of life as an actor and everything I have today is because of television. My loyalty to it is fierce.”

Talking about being a part of the historical Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, he says, “The decision to take up a project depends on various factors, including the kind of work and affordability. Also, I’ve previously worked with this production house.”

Known for his intense portrayals in daily soaps like Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Kyunki… Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Ronit sees this historical role as a refreshing change. He explains, “Eagerness and enthusiasm are contagious. When you meet people embarking on a new journey with such passion, it rubs off on you. Besides, it’s a departure from the intense roles I usually do. Also, it’s not a year-long commitment.”

The actor, who is currently balancing films, OTT and TV, adds, “My approach to work is simple — I don’t associate with projects, I associate with people. If I don’t like a role or the people involved, I won’t take it up, no matter how much money is offered. There are big filmmakers I’ve chosen not to work with because I trust my instinct. I prefer collaborating with people who talk, ideate, and respect the work. I can’t work with chichora kinds.”

Beyond acting, Ronit is invested in his security agency, which caters to some high-profile names in the industry. His agency was in the news for being hired to protect Saif Ali Khan after an intruder entered his home and attacked him.

Maintaining his policy of discretion, Ronit says, “Two decades ago, I made a rule never to disclose my clients’ names. Of course, some names have come out over the years, but I’ve worked with almost everyone in the industry at some point. However, I don’t want a celebrity or a high-profile individual to feel I’m using their name to promote my business because that is not the case. Also, security is a discreet profession — it’s not just about protecting them and their homes, but also about safeguarding their privacy. When people continued pressing me for details, all I said was, ‘Yes, my agency is handling it’, but beyond that, I had nothing more to say.”

Ronit Bose Roy says no topic is taboo in his house
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 21, 2020)

Being a father is the core of my existence. I have been through good, bad and worse times in life, but since my kids were born, all my decisions have been taken keeping them in mind,” says actor Ronit Bose Roy, father of two. He believes being a parent is not just about loving, guiding and educating your child but also means “to take the pain and spare them any”. This Father’s Day, Roy tells us that he talks to his children about positivity and being strong amid hardships.

“I am teaching my kids to be kind, compassionate and be good humans. I tell them it is okay to fail, and that you may win or lose, but keep on moving. I tell them every fight is not theirs to fight and the result isn’t important, but the reason to fight has to be right. It can’t be due to ego or anger... It should be a positive reason instead, such as standing up for someone or correcting something,” the Hostages actor says, adding, “My daughter, Aador, is 15 and my son, Agastya, is 12, and they have impressionable minds. As every stage of life brings a different set of issues, parental guidance is crucial in a child’s life.”

Roy also teaches his kids about “entitlement, money, poverty, compassion, anxiety, and being kind”. The 54-year-old reveals that he had a frank chat with them about mental health after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Revealing that a couple of years ago, his daughter “went through anxiety for six months”, Roy shares, “We discuss issues such as mental health, goodness of the soul, greed, and the fear people feel. Thankfully, they are intelligent and understand the evils of social media. We also talk about money and how much is spent on them. They know that not many are blessed like them. No topic is taboo in our house and we talk about all current events... I need to know what they think as their take might be different from mine. I have learnt a lot in life, but they are in a different space, so we learn from each other.”

He adds that there is no pressure on his children to be “a doctor or an engineer”; they will be what they want to be. “They aren’t sure what they want in life, and that’s perfectly fine by me,” Roy says.

Ronit Roy on after-effects of lockdown on his previously-packed diary and plans for comedy
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 9, 2020)

Ronit Roy entered our living rooms as Mr Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagi Kay. The show recently got a reboot with Karan Singh Grover stepping into the character. Confessing that he hasn’t seen the upgraded version, the actor points out that it is a “different show with new actors,” adding, “But I have seen Karan jump off a building in the promo. He is a fine actor and I am sure he has done a good job.”

Ronit has another iconic TV character to his credit: advocate K D Pathak in Adaalat. The show ended after the second season in September 2016. “In between, we were talking to get K D Pathak back with another name in the courtroom drama space. But everything has gone out of the window now, and we will have to wait and see what happens,” he sighs referring to the lockdown.

Pointing to the effects of the pandemic, he says, “What would have taken four years has happened in four months. Laptops are the new offices and people are watching films on OTT platforms.”

But unlike many of his peers, Ronit didn’t read scripts when at home. He explains that he is a little old school in that aspect and prefers to listen to writers narrate stories. Is he looking for any specific genre to explore in the post-Coronavirus era? “My thumb rule is to only accept jobs I know I would enjoy doing; that’s the fun of being in this industry. An actor who likes to live in his comfort zone never grows,” he reasons, adding that several things have been keeping him busy, from procuring essentials and grooming his dog to repairing the fridge and air-conditioner and sanitisation. “I also work out and study acting as much as possible.”

The actor recently wrapped up shooting with Ranbir Kapoor on the period drama Shamshera, and was in the middle of filming for Fighter, which is fronted by Arjun Reddy actor Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday. While Ronit isn’t authorised to speak on either project, he shares that after a series of negative roles in intense settings, he is eager to do a comedy. “It’s a difficult genre to write, but I would love to do a slice-of-life comedy in the near future,” he says, informing that his 2020 calendar was packed before the Coronavirus brought everything to a standstill. “I was supposed to shoot for a film towards May-end and fly to London in mid-June for another project. I don’t know what will happen to them now, it’s going to be a logistical nightmare.”

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 31, 2020)

“I have been ahead of the curve. We are already 16 days into the lockdown,” says Ronit Bose Roy, who stopped his kids from going to school three days before the schools announced they were shutting due to the Coronavirus pandemic. He adds, “My house went into a lockdown a week before the Janta Curfew. I took a cue from the West and from March 15, we shut the offices and asked the maids and driver to go to their hometowns. Only the house help who stays with us is at home. Now, we have to take each day as it comes as we don’t know the outcome of the steps being taken.”

Roy has also been helping several people in need and arranging food for the staff in his building. He has also contributed to the Daily Wage Labourer’s fund and the actor feels that every contribution, however small, helps.

Roy admits that, for him, there aren’t many challenges of staying at home as he is “a recluse”. “I am comfortable staying in my house. Other than work, I hardly step out of the house. You could say I have had a 15-year-lockdown,” he says with a grin. “I am used to social distancing. I don’t read fiction but enjoy reading material regarding my craft. I am interested in the news and keep a track on the business and news channels. I have been calling friends, joking, talking, bitching (laughs) as everyone wants to hear other voices and talk to people. Though my family has faced more challenges and had to adjust more than me. The initial challenge was to settle the kids. Now, they have got a routine and feel more settled in,” he shares.

Being away from work often, Roy is enjoying being with his wife and kids all day. He points out that while this closeness is good, “there is a lot of togetherness and disagreements”. “Too much of one thing too can be too much (laughs). As we are in a lockdown so there isn’t much to disagree about. We find our ways around things. This is a test of time and we have to come out stronger. I have urged people on social media to stay calm as if one is going to be home, there is no point cribbing about things or getting angsty. Just stay home,” says the actor who has stopped counting the hours or the days and is guided by sunrises and sunsets.

Ronit Roy, who’s been away from the small screen for over two years, explains why TV isn’t working out right now; discusses playing Dad to newbie Warina on the big screen.
Shravan Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 5, 2018)

It has been over two years since Ronit Roy, who found a second lease of showbiz life with Ekta Kapoor’s daily soap Kasuatii Zindagi Kay, has been on TV. With reports of the show, which premiered in 2002, making a comeback, there’s speculation if the 52-year-old actor will reprise his role as Rishabh Bajaj. “I have no call on that yet, but if it’s a daily, it will be difficult for me to do,” Ronit says, quick to add that he believes in the saying, ‘never say never’. “Currently, there’s no time for me to commit to a television show because there is a lot of other work happening. There is also a major shift in viewing platforms. For whatever reasons, nobody is writing anything for television. I have been off TV for two-and-a- half years. The offers that came my way during this time didn’t interest me in the least.”

For now, the actor is busy with Abhiraj Minawala’s directorial debut Loveratri, which launches Salman Khan’s brother-in-law, Aayush Sharma, and newbie Warina Hussain. Shot against the backdrop of Navratri, the film features Ronit as Warina’s father. “I guess the makers thought of me because of my roles in Udaan and 2 States (the actor played a distant, brooding patriarch in both films). However, the driving force in this film is different from the other two. I play father to a girl and the bone of contention is born out of my love for her, so, the performance will not be as intense or dark here. This time, I’m a loving, caring and protective father,” Ronit informs, adding that he got a call from Salman’s production house in January. “I am close to the family and so I came on board immediately after meeting Abhiraj, there was no back and forth.”

The film went on the floors in early March with the first schedule in Baroda. Ronit joined the team from March 24, during the second schedule in Ahmedabad, as the female protagonist arrives only later in the film. The team will now head to London after which the film will wrap up in Mumbai. About his young co-stars, Ronit said, “Aayush is not a newcomer. He is from a film family and has been around for a while. He has seen everything. He is a charming man while Warina is playful but attentive and receptive to advice,” he signs off.

Actor says he’ll create opportunities in the industry for his kids
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; September 13, 2017)

An established name in the movies and a force to reckon with in television, Ronit Roy juggles the two worlds with enviable ease. At a time when the web is enjoying as the new platform for entertainment, it’s only natural for an artiste of his caliber to explore opportunities. As he makes his debut on the digital platform with the Alt Balaji show, Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai, Roy talks about his love for TV and matter being more important than the medium.

What prompted you to say yes to Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai?
It’s not your run-of-the-mill teenage love story. Mona [Singh] and I play mature adults, who cross paths and fall in love. It is a love triangle involving people above 40.

Neena Gupta is coming back with this show.
Yes, that is exciting. I’ve met Neenaji once. Unfortunately, she does not come on the set too often, which is why we haven’t interacted much.

Having played a hero on TV for over a decade and a baddie in movies, which role offers you creative satisfaction?
Playing a character, irrespective of whether it’s positive or negative, offers creative satisfaction. As an actor, I look for variety. Be it on TV or movies, the purpose of the medium is to provide entertainment. And it is unfair to compare the two mediums.

Now that you’ve established yourself in the movies, will we see you less on TV?
Television is one of my top priorities. I have been in the industry for 15 years and done everything that has excited me. However, of late, none of the projects offered to me have been exhilarating. If I’m offered something interesting like Adaalat, I will give my immediate nod.

At a time when nepotism is a raging debate, would you want your children to follow in your footsteps?
I’ve taught my children that if they love their profession, it’s great. But their job is not the be-all and end-all of their lives. They can choose to do whatever they want to. And because I’m their father, I will help them in whatever way I can. A father who refuses to create opportunities for his kids — what would you call him? So if I can help, I definitely will.

You’re playing a cop for the third time with Lucknow Central.
As a cop in Boss (2013), I played an out-and-out baddie. In Ugly (2014), I was a father and an insecure husband; being a cop was incidental. My character in Lucknow Central is different. He is a jailer, he is not dealing with crime. He handles a bunch of men, who want to form a band. Ideologically, it is different from the other pieces of work I’ve done.

The actor-director siblings have had chequered careers. While Ronit Roy has revived his film career, Rohit is hoping to build a new one behind the camera
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 30, 2017)

At present, the Roy brothers are in a “comfortable space”. Apart from being one of the biggest names in the television industry, Ronit has been praised for his performances in critically-acclaimed films such as Udaan, Ugly and Kaabil, while Rohit has refashioned himself as a filmmaker and will helm the next Sanjay Leela Bhansali production.

Growing up in Ahmedabad, Ronit had earned the moniker ‘Kumar Gaurav of Ahmedabad’ but Rohit remembers him as the most flamboyant man in town. “You need money for that. I was only an extrovert,” says Ronit, before he is corrected by Roy junior, “You can be Jackie Shroff from Teen Patti, so you can be flamboyant without money.” He also adds that his elder brother also had the reputation of being a “quintessential naughty boy”. “If I got into a scuffle in Ahmedabad and they came to know I was Ronit’s brother, they’d run away,” he says.

Rohit, who was preparing for his MBA when his brother bagged his feature film debut in Jaan Tere Naam (1992), remembers visiting him during a song shoot at Andheri Sports Complex. “He was in swimming trunks and the actress was in a ridiculous purple bikini and they were jumping in and out of the pool. I returned home to tell my mom that her son was doing sleazy films, wearing just a chaddi.”

Ronit signed 40 films following his debut, “of which, 25 producers never showed up, 15-16 went into production, 13 got made, half didn’t release and the ones that did, flopped.” He continues, “I wanted to be a hero when I came to Mumbai and all the trappings that came with it — big house, big car and girls running after me. I got all that with Jaan Tere Naam and then I lost it too. Now, I want to become an actor, and not a star,” says Ronit, who will be next seen in Sarkar 3. “May be, I signed the wrong films. When you’re 26, you don’t know any better.”

Ronit, who won a Filmfare Award for his performance in Udaan, eventually turned to television as a means of keeping his acting career alive. He began with a show opposite Bhagyashree before Ekta Kapoor cast him in Zee TV’s Kammal in 2000 and later in Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2002. “I was initially paid Rs 2,500 a day. I felt that if I could make Rs 50,000 a month, it would pay for food, rent, alcohol and mobile bills.” Instead, Ronit became an overnight primetime success. From 2002 to 2010, he worked on a minimum of three TV shows every year and “couldn’t spare time for films”.

Rohit, who admitted to scoffing at his brother’s profession initially, was left adrift when his US visa was rejected in 1992. Prior to his entrance test at Symbiosis, Pune, a chance meeting with Kunal Kapoor, an advertising maverick then, resulted in a move to agency life and he reluctantly strayed into modeling too. “Anant Balani, who had made Patthar Ke Phool, saw my photographs, which were terrible, and called me for a screen test, which was even worse. But he liked it and that’s how I got my first film with Suchitra Krishnamoorthi called Jazbaat which never released,” says Rohit.

A year later, Rohit shot to fame with his TV debut in Swabhimaan. “I was rejected during my audition by Shobhaa De, who wrote the show. She felt I was ‘too MTV’ to play Rishabh Malhotra. She wanted someone like Mohnish Behl, but younger. Later, Mahesh Bhatt, one of the makers, spotted me while going through the rejected auditions, and because of my red jacket he placed his bets on me,” he says.

The Roy brothers’ up and down relationship with success caused some problems for their mother too. “During Swabhimaan, when Ronit was totally out of work, people would tell my mother, ‘we saw the show, but bada beta kya kar raha hain?’ Then, the same phase came in my life in 2013-2014, and they’d ask her, ‘we watch Adaalat but chota ladka kya kar raha hain?’” Rohit says with a laugh.

These days, Rohit has chosen to get behind the camera because it is something he had “always planned to do” but was also in part due to his stuttering acting career. Rohit says he has made peace with the fact that he is “not a star”.

As it happens, Ronit will be playing the lead in the Bhansali love story that Rohit will direct. The younger Roy shares his first choice for the lead was Naseeruddin Shah. “I hated Ronit’s work in Jaan Tere Naam even though the film made him a star. But when I saw him in Udaan, I cried and then I saw him as the gritty cop in Ugly and I was sure that only he could play the character I had in mind.”

So the next time someone asks their mother what the brothers are doing, the answer will be easy.