Interview: Ronit Roy
By: Simran Mody, India Correspondent
In front of the camera, Indian television and Bollywood film star Ronit Roy is best known for starring roles in serials such as NDTV Imagine’s Bandini or the recent theatrical release of Udaan. Yet not too many Hindi film fans may be aware of Ronit’s other Bollywood face — that of security guard. Sure, there are many jobs and hats to be worn when one pursues a career in the cinematic or performing arts, but not too many people would gather a successful film and television star would also make a living in the industry as a top-level protector of Bollywood’s biggest names. Alas, Ronit, 44, operates a leading security firm which makes it his business to serve and protect the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi.
Of course, serving as Bollywood’s finest while also playing memorable roles such as Rishabh Bajaj, Mihir Virani, and Aparajit Deb may never have prepared him for the next great challenge in his professional life: Hollywood.
While Hollywood may indeed be knocking on Ronit’s door, he has taken a free-flowing, non-structural approach to his now 18-year career.
“I personally never eyed anything. In my entire career, I have not gone to any studio and asked for work,” he candidly told the press last week. “I don’t have a portfolio and I have never circulated one.”
Launching his career in 1992 in the Bollywood film Jaan Tere Naam, Ronit went on to star in well-known productions such as Hulchul, Sainik, and Dosti Ki Saugandh. Apparently struggling to become a legitimate film superstar despite garnering solid work, Ronit turned to television, where he starred in several of Ekta Kapoor’s serials including Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thhi.
“TV has given me everything I have. Whatever I have today, I have built it all because of TV,” Ronit humbly announced to the press. “But I will not do a film for the sake of doing one; I will not do television either, just for the sake of doing it.”
That being said, Ronit’s acting career may best be described as “unplanned foresight” in that he pays attention to the roles he accepts, but he does give the ultimate direction of his career too much thought.
“I am not a strategist. Neither success nor failure affects me. What affects me is doing mediocre work,” he told the press. “I would not do a film just for the sake of doing a film. I have not done that in the past decade. Rather than going the superstar way, I would take the road less traveled. I would rather go the way Abhay Deol has, by doing things differently where there is a story to tell.”
Perhaps Ronit will have a new story to tell with this impending Hollywood project of which the acclaimed Bollywood actor does not reveal too much about. Still, he did offer the press a bit of a teased preview.
“It’s a mainstream Hollywood film, and not a crossover or a bilingual, by a mainstream Hollywood director with a mainstream Hollywood superstar. I am playing an extremely legendary Indian character in it,” Ronit candidly told the press during his chat about future projects. “Things have to be (solidified) first. This is not the right time (to give additional details).”
Speaking of additional details, Ronit was happy to shed some light on his security business, adding that he is looking to expand into training creative talent and potentially taking on the role of director or producer.
“I might make a film, but that is way into the future. If I have a story I really want to tell, I will do that. There is a thought that I have, but it’s still a thought,” he told the press, adding that right now he is focused on his security business and expansion. “I started my security business in 1997. I got myself trained and I trained my people. There are 400-odd families that are connected to it. My business is my baby and it will go on.”
As for his acting school, Ronit hopes to work closely with up-and-coming talent.
“We are now building a training centre for amateurs who want to pursue the course. It’ll take about a year from now,” he insightfully told the press. “I cannot disclose the location, but our main facility is in South Africa, so we are trying to get it in India.”
Of course, in typical Ronit Roy fashion, the actor fell short of completely looking too far ahead, instead focusing on today and being content with all that he has already been blessedly given.
“Ronit Roy doesn’t look at the future. He looks at the present. We will cross the bridge when we come to it,” the 44-year-old actor coyly proclaimed. “I don’t think of whether I have gotten my due or not. I don’t think Bollywood owes me anything.”
Though he may claim otherwise, Ronit is definitely owed something more than he realizes: respect. No matter what bridges he may ultimately cross in Bollywood or Hollywood, there is no doubt the ones he has already crossed have been gracefully touched by the most humble and dedicated of actors.
While it is totally expected for him to speak to the contrary, Ronit Roy has indeed been given his due, and all of his efforts are beginning to bear fruit, starting with his well-respected security firm and upcoming Bollywood project.
Before all is said and done, Ronit will be soon looking at the past and wondering how his future and present were so blessed. His wonderment will be answered as such: he earned his keep.
