January 7, 2006: Star Getaway

January 9. 2006: Small Screen's Big Man!

Indian television industry’s blue-eyed ‘man’, Ronit Roy in an interview with us speaks about his acting skills and growing up years in Ahmedabad.

Many may not be aware, but actor Ronit Roy spent his growing years in Ahmedabad. And he has fond memories of the city. ”My growing years there were incredible.

I think Ahmedabad is a great city and a very resilient one, for despite all the knocks it gets, it manages to survive and emerge from them - even tougher than before. In that sense, it is a lot like Mumbai.“

Roy who moved base to Mumbai to act in Hindi films failed to make a mark though he made a successful debut.

… 

”That’s the reason I got into acting on television, as I was out of work. So when I received a call to act in tele serials, I immediately took up the offer,“ he candidly admits.

And though he has become a household name now thanks to his roles on the small screen, Roy has no qualms about admitting his seniority in terms of his age.

”It is easier for me to play older roles since most actors in the TV industry are in their twenties while I am forty. Also I am a real life father, so playing a dad or granddad on screen, comes naturally to me,“ he says with a smile.

Ask him about working under a creative female head and he shrugs, ”I don’t really differentiate professional interactions in terms of gender.“

Ask him about a stagnant Indian television industry, and Roy begs to differ. ”I think Indian television is on an all time high. In fact, it is going to grow into a much bigger industry soon,“ he says.

But does television offer him a scope to explore his acting potential to the fullest? ”Though I haven’t really explored genres like comedy to the fullest, acting in soaps gives me a wide range of possibilities“ he says.

And the cynic in him is quick to add, ”There is nothing like a dream role. You have to manage to turn a role around into a dream role. And anyway I don’t dream of roles, for I live in reality.“

January 17, 2005: Not without my daughter

Following his performance at a local show scheduled in Maldives on January 12, Ronit Roy (Mihir of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Mr Bajaj of Kasautii Zindagi Kay) had planned a cosy holiday with his wife Neelam at the exotic island. The couple had planned to take their daughter Aador along. But destiny had other plans.

Kya hua?

Aadore felt unwell and Neelam had to stay back. The little Roy baby suffered an attack of dehydration and was admitted to Nanavati Hospital. Ronit tells hitList, ”Aadore was kept on a drip and things were really bad. She felt better before January 11 and we brought her home on January 10, but subsequently, Neelam could not go ahead with the trip.“

Ronit’s mother offered help, reveals Ronit, ”She told Neelam she would look after Aador, and she should proceed with the plans.“ But the indulgent and caring mother brushed off the offer.

Socha na tha

Recently, Roys have been travelling quite a bit. They went to Panchgani for Aamir Khan’s wedding and followed it up at Pune to usher in the New Year.

For the Maldives trip, they’d made travel and hotel arrangements well in advance, and were very excited about the trip. Besides chilling out from the hectic life in Mumbai, they had also planned to do a lot of sightseeing and click a lot of pictures. This would have been Aadore’s first foreign trip. ”Man proposes, God disposes,“ Ronit adds.

Agli baar

Ronit left for Maldives on January 11 and returned after two days. Says Ronit, ”When I reached there, even I got a stomach infection. The show went off fine, but without Neelam, there was no point in staying back. A holiday is not a priority; and certainly not when my kid isn’t keeping well. Inshallah, next time.“

At Maldives, Ronit spent almost all his free time on the mobile phone, constantly enquiring about Aadore’s health. ”If Aadore hadn’t been discharged from the hospital on January 10, I myself wouldn’t have gone, too.“

January 31, 2006: Kicks and Punches

Not only does Ronit Roy kick ass and punch a pack when it comes to TV serials, be it as Mihir in Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Mr Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagi Kay on Star Plus or even as Kunal Pratap Singh in Sarrkkar. The actor has started doing the same in real life too. Ronit has enrolled for martial arts training for the last couple of months, which he is diligently attending. Well, now that he is out of Sarrkkar, unable to handle the pressure of three mega shows, he’s making the most of his time doing something other than work. Incidentally, Ronit goes to the same trainer that another actor, Anuj Saxena, goes to too.

February 1, 2006: Sarrkarr's Kunal remains dead

by Shaheen Parkar

Though new characters are being added to the Zee drama, Sarrkkar, one of the main protagonists Kunal Pratap Singh (Ronit Roy) is still missing in action. Tonight Manav Gohil makes his entry in the show as journalist Lakshya, an old flame of Kunal’s wife Urvashi (Tisca Chopra).Roy’s return?

Sarrkkar had incorporated some high drama in November which featured a mishap that had Kunal presumably killed. At that time it was announced that in true soap style, he would rise from the dead.

But till date there is no sign of Roy’s character being resurrected. So, does it mean that he is out of the show ending the off-screen drama relating to his doing — not doing Sarrkkar vis-a-vis the Balaji soaps —Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi?

When asked producer Manish Goswami admits, ”We are in no hurry to bring Kunal (Ronit Roy) back. In fact the show is doing better in his absence, nor does the channel want him to return in the current scene. We are not feeling Kunal’s absence at all.“

Gohil as old flame

As for Gohil’s character Lakshya, he says, ”He bumps into Urvashi and she instantly recognises him as her college mate. A track of him being Urvashi’s ex-flame follows.“

Urvashi rekindles her affections for Lakshya.

”The rest of the family including Karan (Rohit Roy) push Urvashi towards Lakshya. On the verge of their marriage there’s a proverbial twist in the tale. But this does not mean Kunal lands up just when his wife Urvashi is

set to marry someone else. Wait and watch,“ adds Goswami. 

March 20. 2006: Shweta-Ronit ki unholi-haathapai

by Tusshar Joshi

Even though Holi is over, the colour on Shweta Tiwari’s face has yet to fade. The actress had a fight with co-star Ronit Roy on the Kasautii Zindagii  Kay sets on Friday evening, when a routine shoot turned into a major fiasco.

The scene required Roy to put some colour on Tiwari, but she claims he went overboard and stuffed her mouth and ears with gulal.

”I don’t know why he did that. All that was asked of him was to apply minimal colour on me. But Ronit was in the mood to play Holi and was running around the sets dousing everyone with colour,“ says Shweta.

‘I pushed him’

Is it true that she punched him? ”If someone comes and douses you with colour zabardasti, against your wishes, will you stay quiet? Of course I pushed him, but anyone in my place would do that. I definitely didn’t punch him, as he claims,“ she says.

Tiwari now is shooting in Sri Lanka for a commercial, ”The colour is still on my face and despite bathing, isn’t going away. I had made it clear that I had to leave that day for Sri Lanka, and was trying to shoot as much as possible. In fact, our director had strictly instructed Ronit to be careful in applying colour on me, despite which he did this,“ she says.

Adds a source who witnessed the incident, ”Ronit already had a wrist injury a few days back. I saw Shweta pushing him and asking him to back off. From where I was standing, I couldn’t see any punching.“

Set witnesses

Tiwari says the entire Kasautii set was witness to what transpired. ”Why don’t you go on the set and talk to people. They know who did what. I don’t want to give undue importance to the person or the incident.“

Meanwhile, Ronit’s sole comment was, ”I don’t want to talk about Shweta Tiwari.“

After we spoke to Shweta on the phone, Subhash, an assistant director with Kasautii Zindagii Kay, came on the line and said that Ronit had become violent with him, too. ”Ronit wanted to apply colour on me. I ran away because I don’t enjoy Holi. His driver ran after me, and when Ronit came close, his driver told him that I had told him, ‘Tu Ronit Roy ka driver zaroor hoga, lekin mera kya ukhad lega?’ At this, Ronit got provoked.“

But Ronit denied any incident with Subhash. Then Subhash again came on the line; this time, he recanted. ”No violence happened with me. Everything is fine here,“ he said.

(With inputs by Vickey Lalwani)

May 22, 2006: Kaun Banega Ronitpati

by Tushar Joshi

Even though he surfs the web, Ronit Roy never thought of starting an official website. However, after visiting a website designed by a fan of his, Ronit may not have to come up with his own portal.

”I sincerely appreciate the efforts by this girl in taking the time to make this site. After visiting it, I don’t think there’s a need to have an official website for me.“ Roy loves the content and graphics on the site.

”Not only is the content up to date and well-researched, but she has even managed to get some rare pictures of me.“

Designed by Arya Jayendra from Kerala, the site (www.ronitboseroy.bravehost.com) has been dedicated by the girl to all Ronit fans around the world.

Packed with his press clippings and updates on what’s new in his life, the site also has a forum titled Ronitian Paradise, where everything from his looks, to what career move he should make, are widely discussed.

Research bang on

The most interesting part of the site is a trivia-based game — Kaun Banega Ronitpati, a rip-off from Kaun Banega Crorepati’s format.

Questions range from his favourite fruit, to the name of his spot boy. ”I know the idea is quite hilarious, but the answers to all these questions are correct,“ says Ronit.

Does he have any future plans for the site? ”After receiving a message from Arya, I visited the site and was highly impressed. I let her know that I was happy with the way she has made it. I am thinking of using this site and the forum to interact with my fans. It is a nice way of keeping in touch with them and letting them know what’s happening with me.“

Nagging injury

On the personal front the injury to his wrist seems to be healing. ”The bandage has come off, but strength is yet to return. I haven’t been unable to practice my martial arts due to the ailment, I hope to resume in a couple of weeks.“

May 11, 2006: "Ghai is my father"- Ronit(Mid-day)

Vickey Lalwani

Few know that TV actor Ronit Roy (Mr Bajaj of Kasautii and Mihir Virani of Kyunki) has a special bond with Bollywood showman, Subhash Ghai. ”Subhashji is my father. I will do anything for him,“ says Ronit, who did a brief role in Ghai’s Kisna.

The Ronit-Ghai association goes back nearly twenty years. Ghai and Ronit’s father (who is no more) were very good friends. Ronit’s father told his son to stay with Ghai when he left Ahmedabad for Mumbai to become an actor.

”I stayed with Subhashji (in Bandra), but not once did I feel that I was staying in someone else’s house. Aisa lagta tha jaise mera hi ghar hai. He looked after me like his own son.“

Mentor and guide

Ronit left Ghai’s house when he married. ”Yet, Subhashji wanted my wife and I to stay with him,“ reveals the actor. When Ronit wed actress Neelam (his second marriage), he sought Ghai’s blessings. ”I don’t take any important decision without Subhashji’s consultation and blessings. When my daughter Aador was born, I took her to him.“

Did he also consult Ghai when he was torn between Ekta Kapoor and Manish Goswami’s shows? ”Of course, I did,“ admits Ronit. ”We are always in touch. It’s a relationship that words cannot define.“

Interestingly, Ghai dissuaded Ronit from joining films, saying the industry was very unpredictable — you may be riding the crest at one moment, and fall into a trough the next. Initially, Ronit worked as a management trainee at a suburban five-star hotel in Mumbai.

A year later, when his father passed away, he quit his job and joined Ghai as an assistant director. Later, Ronit even tried his hand at freelance editing, doing a number of assignments for Ghai, and helped in setting up Ghai’s video division. Before finding success on television.

June 2, 2006: Ronit's Spiritual Awakening

by vickey Lalwani

Ronit Roy’s professional journey started years back with a film, titled Jaan Tere Naam in the early 90s.

From the big screen to playing Mr Bajaj of Kasautii Zindagii Kay on the small screen, the actor has had many ups and downs.

However, one thing that has remained rock-solid is Ronit’s unending desire to learn more about the spiritual world.

Recently, the actor was at the bank of the Ganges in Haridwar for the shoot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. ”There were some two to three thousand people, and we were shooting along with them,“ reveals Ronit.

Puja ka power

While shooting during the Ganga Puja that happens every evening, Ronit felt immensely overwhelmed by the mantras and the hymns being chanted aloud.

”Everyone lights these beautiful diyas and sets them afloat in the river. I cannot describe in words what I went through, during that moment. It felt like being in the middle of positive energies. I have never been so overwhelmed in life before.“

Admitting he’s an extremely religious person Ronit says, ”I believe in every way of praising the lord. There isn’t a specific deity or a religion that’s close to my heart. I am curious to know about different cultures and their ways of embracing spirituality.“

These days, Ronit is reading books on Eastern mysticism. ”All of us have lots of questions that trouble our mind and we constantly try and seek answers for them. After being on the path of divinity, you reach a certain stage where the answers come to you even before your mind has raised the question.“

Seeking a guru

The actor claims he is also planning to study Vedic scriptures, ”I think when I reach my mid forties, I would like to take up the Vedas. However, there would have to be a Guru who’ll guide me in the journey, explain and elaborate the meanings for me.“

July 2, 2006- Style ke badshaah

tyle ke baadshah

Mihir (Ronit Roy)

He is a very stylish man off screen as well. He has a good body and his clothes fit him perfectly. He has two distinct looks as Mihir in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Mr. Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagii Kay.

His hairstyle in both the soaps is also different. As Mihir he looks really good in cotton and silk kurtas, while his corporate attire gets the best out of him as Bajaj.

July 8, 2005: The greying gents

The graying gents are the new sex symbols on the small screen.

Now on television another happening thing is happening. A new breed of middleaged, salt and pepper heroes are currently making women go weak in their knees. The first was Ronit Roy aka Mihir of Kyunki….some three or four years back. The trend gained momentum with Kasautii Zindagii Kay where Ronit played the sexy, middleaged Mr Bajaj.

”I don’t about others,“ Ronit Roy clarifies. ”as for me, I sported the salt-n-pepper look some four years back.“ He is playing two middleaged characters at the moment. ”And at that time, I did it purely because I liked the character very much and secondly, at that point of time, I desperately needed some work.“That was the time when Ronit was written off completely in the film industry following a disaster like Jaan Tere Naam in the 90s. At that time, even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn’t have thought that he would be a trendsetter. But now its his calling.Ronit Roy is best equipped to nail the argument,“ You cannot say which generation is going to rule the television because both are equally popular. In some shows, young actors win, while in others 40-something are loved. For example, in Kyunki…. Mihir is equally popular as his son Karan (Hiten Tejwani) and same can be said about the other son Gautam (Sumit Sachdev),“he moderates.One can then put it in simple words:age actually dosent matter in todays television. Ageing, like the small screen itself, is actually a state of mind

July 30, 2006: "New actors make me feel I'm passe"- Ronit

Reena Thappar Kapoor

Actor Ronit Roy believes that his dedication and his desire to excel is a result of being inspired by good friend Aamir Khan. The actor who currently plays the grandfather in Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, says, ”Aamir is my text-book. I’ve learnt everything about acting from him. In fact, I owe my success to Aamir.“

Besides acting, Ronit runs a company that provides security to celebrities and that was how he met Aamir. The two actors have known each other since the shooting of Lagaan. Ronit’s company was given the contract to ensure the protection of the actors and the sets. ”Although Lagaan was completed long ago, our equation has remained intact,“ says Ronit.

Whether it was Aamir’s marriage or his frequent overseas trips, Ronit accompanies the actor as and when his own schedule permits. ”I don’t want to make our friendship seem casual by saying that ‘we’re great friends.’ Aamir is like a brother, friend, philosopher and guide. I am what I am today because of Aamir.“

Recently, Ronit’s tiff with Shweta Tiwari, his Kasauti Zindagi Kay co-star made news. This also affected their on-screen chemistry. ”I don’t deny that Shweta and I have had our differences. But we don’t let our personal issues hamper our professional life. Shweta is a good actress. She is this bubbly child-woman. You tend to fight with people you spend most of your time with. My issues with Shweta are too trivial to discuss. We keep fighting and making up all the time,“ he says.

Talking about Kyunkii… does he feel threatened by the presence of the younger lot of actors? ”I’m not an insecure person. But I must say there are a few new actors who make me feel I’m passé. They feel Mihir is an old man. Tulsi and Mihir are the backbone of the show but they think they think that they will take the show ahead. The actors are too young to realise that on TV it’s not the actor but the character in his show that makes or breaks him.“

Ronit doesn’t deny that his old man image in Kyunki… may hinder his chances of getting offers to play young characters. ”I understand and accept that everything comes with an expiry date. I’m at a stage, where I’m willing to accept the changes in my life and career. I’ve a company to look after and I am also passionate about acting,“ he says. ”But I’m fine with my acting career going slow. After having seen the worst phase in my life and film career, I’ve toughened up. I’ve realised and accepted that success is transitory. I’m the kind of person who gets bored very fast. After playing Mihir and Mr. Bajaj for almost five years, sometimes I feel bored. That’s a feeling that every human goes through. It’s only natural.“ But Ronit certainly isn’t complaining.