'I don't do too much of films'

Juggling work

His repertoire includes critically acclaimed performances on both small and silver screens. But actor Ronit Roy, who will be next seen playing the role of a Haryanvi politician in Guddu Rangeela, says he now prefers to do “one film a year" as it gives him time to focus on television as well.

The 49-year-old, who has been juggling his work in both films and TV for a while, feels “comfortable” doing both.

“I don’t do too much of films. I do one film a year or three films in two years. So, time hasn’t been a problem for me. Aadalat is going off-air, so I’ll be only doing Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar. It’s not going to be a big problem. I’m very comfortable working on both the mediums,” Roy told IANS over phone.

Talking about his role in Guddu Rangeela, Roy, who has appeared in films like Udaan, 2 States and Ugly, said: “This is a completely different role from whatever I have played before.

Billu Pahalwan is a Haryanvi guy, who has been raised by the Khap Panchayat and Akhada. He is a wrestler-turned-MLA and is fighting for the cause of the Khap because he feels what the Khap believes in, is correct.”

Was learning Haryanvi a problem for him?
“I learnt Haryanvi for about six months. But it was not too difficult as learning a new language always takes time. You can learn a language, but you cannot speak it with the right dialect. Speaking it the way that it’s being spoken in Haryana and to get that accent correct is what takes time,” said the actor.

Since he received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his negative role in Udaan, Roy has mostly been seen playing grey shade characters on the silver screen.
Asked why he prefers to play such characters on the big screen, he said: “The producers and directors of my films should be asked why they offer me mainly negative roles. I do roles that I like. In my next film, I’m playing a positive role. Out of whatever I’ve been offered, the roles which I’ve played till now were the ones that I liked the most.”
Roy, who has appeared in popular TV shows like Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has completed three decades in showbiz.

He said: “My journey has been full of ups and downs. But I’m thankful that I am where I am and I’m happy doing my work. Right now, I’m not planning to do another TV show apart from Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar.”