"Nothing succeeds like success": Rohit Roy

Friday, August 03, 2007
He has acted on television, hosted interactive shows, has done cricket shows and owns production house Magic Works that created a rage with music show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. No 1. After playing Phattu Bhai in Shootout at Lokhandwala, Rohit Roy has a variety of roles to look forward to in tinsel town.

Nowadays, you are mostly seen doing films, any specific reason behind the shift from television to cinema?
Nothing specific as such. I always wanted to do cinema. I decided to switch over to films because the time was right. I had done almost everything on television, from acting to hosting and even producing daily soaps. The latter takes up a lot of time; you are hooked to it for 25 days a month. After that there is hardly anytime for anything else.

Shootout was a huge success, do you feel that it has propelled your career?
Obviously, nothing succeeds like success. I am the same actor but I got noticed because the movie did well. The star cast also matters, there were many others in the movie who were senior to me. All I can say is that it feels great, much like a child with a candy in his hand.

What's next on the schedule?
Well, I am playing the lead in Karan Razdan's Mittal vs Mittal. It's a hard-hitting story on marital rape. Then there is Alibaug which is a reality-based story. Next on the cards is a comedy flick titled Don Muttuswami, with my favorite actor Mithun Chakraborty. I am very excited about working with him, he is an incredible actor who has bagged national awards doing diverse roles.

So, like Mithunda are you also interested in playing diverse characters?
Yes, of course. I like playing different roles. In the films that I have done and I will be doing, variety is a constant. In Shootout, I played a roguish character, Mittal vs Mittal will be different and so would be my character in Don Muttuswami and Alibaug.

How is your production house doing?
Oh, Magic Works is doing extremely well. It was actually Mansi's dream to open up a production house, and I actively supported it. By the end of this year, Phank will be on the cards, we will be co-producing with White Feathers. Magic Works is also part of Dus Kahania. White Feathers is a guardian to us, Sanjay Gupta is a great support.

As an actor, what's your dream role?
Hypothetically, it would be doing a double role, where one guy is a simple and genuine person while the other is a psychopathic killer. But the ultimate dream role would always be playing Amitabh Bachchan in Deewaar.

What's the difference between television and films?
Television is a great place to start one's acting career. It's safe, good for learning and is dominated by TRPs. On the other hand, films are ruled by box-office results but it provides a wide range of work --- comedy, action, thriller, suspense and what not.

Your comments on the Sanjay Dutt trial.
I think the verdict is too harsh, I don't think even the most hardened criminal would get such punishment. He was reckless in his youth but tell me, who isn't? I guess he has already suffered for 14 years, with the dagger hanging on his head. I think he is a very sweet guy and he has changed a lot in the last 14 years. I am not saying this because he has family, but because he just does not deserve the punishment. I am sorry, but this is an emotional outburst.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about my work. Being an Arian, I strive for success in whatever I do.