Exclusive! Rohit Roy: People playing power games makes me sick and wonder I'm not cut out for Bollywood

Actor Rohit Roy, who began his career with TV and ventured into films and web series, sometimes feels that the glam world is not meant for him. The actor cannot play power games or as people call it, politics. Thus, he feels that the industry is not cut out for him.

Rohit has been in news for his latest web series Sanak: Ek Junoon. The Krishna Bhatt directorial also starred Aindrita Ray as the female lead. Rohit plays the role of a power drunk lawyer named Ajay but in real life, Rohit is completely different from Ajay.

The actor explains to OTTplay that he gets sick when his own friends or people try to play games with him. Rohit also spoke about Avengers and whether he will dub for Eternals next.

Excerpts from the interview...

We have always seen you as a loverboy and as someone deadly like a gangster but this role demands something completely different. So what was your first reaction when you were offered Sanak and how did you make the character your own?

When Vikram Bhatt called me, I didn't even take time to find out what it was. When Vikram calls you, you know the writing of the show will be top-notch. So I said yes immediately. Then I heard the character and story and was a little skeptical because like you said, it is completely different from what I have played till now. A couple of years back, after doing Kaabil, I became a little more adventurous. Then I thought if Vikram cast me thinking I can go out-of-the-box then I should deliver. That's the challenge as an actor. When I heard Krishna is directing it, I knew she will be sensitive in the portrayal of Ajay and Ragini and their relationship. I can't pinpoint why a lady director is better for this kind of a show but I was right. I'm glad to have worked on this project.

You have started exploring web series since the past few years. Do you feel that the medium is here to stay or do you believe that the craze will fade once theatres open up?

OTT is not going anywhere. It is going to become bigger and better. A lot of consumption is obviously happening because of the lockdown but it is going to become a way of life event after that. When people don't have an option, they will obviously watch OTT but even when they have an option, OTT will bring entertainment to you. After a heavy day's work, you will want to relax and that is when you will look up to OTT. The competition and quality of programming will go up. It is a way of life and will stay that way.

Tell me about Aindrita. Did you both become friends after working on the series?

It was a pleasure to work with. She's a dear friend now. Usually, when I shoot for a project, I make lasting relationships. My co-star from my previous show is also a very dear friend. I make friends. For me, it's not just a job. The same goes with Aindrita. We have hung out a couple of times. When you do a show like Sanak which is very emotionally charged, you need to find a connection somewhere. Aindrita and I found that place, which she will agree to.

Recently her movie Bhavai also faced a lot of flak. Did you guys happen to talk about that? What did she have to say?

I have not been in town for a long time. I didn't know there was any flak. I know they had to change the name. Bhavai is a good Gujarati title. I'm from Ahmedabad so I know what Bhavai means. I will ask her. I leave it to my friends to share what they want to share.

Your character is someone who wants more and more power. Have you observed people like that around you? Did they become your inspiration for the character?

Everybody wants a little more power. It's a common human need. Today you are interviewing me, tomorrow you will want to have the power to interview Shah Rukh Khan, the day after Will Smith. It's just a part of growth. When you go to any length to get that power, is where your decline starts. Personally, I'm not very ambitious to the extent that I will go to any length for power. I will keep striving and walking towards success. I don't need to run towards it. My character Ajay believes he needs to do certain things to get somewhere. There would be people like that but I haven't observed them. I haven't experienced a character like that but I can create it by just hearing about people like that. I don't know if I sub-consciously tried to bring another person on my mind while delivering Ajay but it's possible.

Would you say that this desire for power can sometimes lead a person into a complicated web that he cannot untangle alone?

Yeah, of course. I don't want to sound very sorted because I have my own set of issues but I am very chilled out in my space. When I fight or argue with a friend, I'm the first one to break the ice and say let it go. I find that many people have a problem with that. I feel that whose fault it was and why the fight happened is immaterial. I feel sad seeing people who cannot let go. You have one life. You make mistakes, other people make mistakes, take it in your stride, move on. A lot of people play power games which is very sick. I dislike such people and don't need such friends. It makes me feel I shouldn't have been in the industry at all. I don't like to be involved in the politics of the people of the industry. I'm not cut out to be here. I've been fortunate to find friends who are non-political. I do have some friends who feel the sun shines from where they say but to each their own. I don't get in their lives or let them get into mine.

You also underwent a major body transformation this year. Tell me about how that happened and was it for a role or a personal journey?

It co-incidentally showed up in Mumbai Saga. I created the body for myself. I wanted to turn the sexiest 50-year-old in India. I wanted to push myself. I'm healthy but lazy. I wanted a body that inspires others and is enviable. I got Mumbai Saga while I was working out like that. So things worked in my favour. I did it for myself, to look good.

You have dubbed almost all Avengers films. Are the talks on for Eternals?

They love the way I dub for Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy. They kept calling me for other things but later, insisted on me being exclusive for Chris. In a way, it felt good but also cut down on other work that I could have done. I'm dubbing for other projects though. It's something I do for fun more than anything else. It's relaxing as an actor. I actually even sang a Hindi song for Avengers for Chris' role. It was good fun.

Your upcoming projects?

I've completed a film called Forensic with Vikrant Massey and Radhika Apte. This is the first time a Hindi film is made on real heroes who solve crimes. I'm looking forward to that. It is also a different character and look. It's a character-driven role. I want to see whether the audiences like or dislike me in this role because it will open up new doors for me for something that I haven't tried till now. It's also a risk but I'm happy to take it at this stage of my career.