Talented actor Rohit Roy, last seen in Sab TV show, Peterson Hill, is returning back to his old TV hunting ground, with a cameo in Colors drama, Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki. “I don’t have time for long-running characters, as I have my hands full with my long-awaited film directorial venture and another web series with Vikram Bhatt after the critically-acclaimed Memories (Viu).”
“One of the main reasons for saying yes to this high-rating Rashmi Sharma Telefilms show was that I know the director Pawanji very well. Secondly, I am all for the social emancipation of kinnars (lead character Soumya is one) and other ostracized groups of individuals. Shakti is among the very few TV shows that I follow from time to time, as it is watched in my house,” says Rohit, who has also played a very important negative character in the Hrithik Roshan starrer, Kaabil.
Talking about his character, Rohit says, “I play a self-made, brash Singapore businessman. Mouli Ganguly essays my wife’s role. Interestingly, Mouli had debuted 19 years ago with me in a show titled Milan. Nishant Bhalla will do anything to keep his family together. In a way, that is exactly like me, for I would do anything for my real-life wife, Manasi Joshi Roy.”
Is it a tad tough to fit in with a unit that has been together for several years? “I first met lead actor Rubina Dilaik on the flight to Singapore, and very soon we became best friends. She holds the show together.”
Rohit, who has been doing TV since the mid-nineties starting with Swabhiman, says, “Working here is like learning how to ride a bicycle – you can never forget it. I wish to add that the Shakti unit is very well-organized as compared to most other TV sets. Having a bank of episodes, we don’t shoot in a hurry; and the best part is that I got my script a week before we left for Singapore. This has never happened with me before, on a TV show. I think this preparedness also helps the show win public hearts, for everyone is aware of what is expected of them.” Besides fiction, Rohit has also taken part in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, and hosted The Bachelorette India.
“Although I have not done much TV for the last many years (Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein and Hitler Didi), it is safe to say that while TV working conditions per se have gotten kinda better, content has not really progressed,” ended he.