Actor Rohit Roy started his career with Mahesh Bhatt's 1995 show 'Swabhimaan'. Post that he did several TV shows such as 'Kkusum', and 'Des Mein Niklla Hoga' among others. Rohit also tried his luck in films and got an appreciation for his performances in movies like 'Apartment', 'Kaabil', and 'Shootout at Lokhandwala' among others. Rohit who has been in the industry for nearly three decades, in an interview with Outlook India reflected on his journey, his debut with audio medium and a lot more.
Rohit has headlined the new Audible show 'Woh Kaun Thi'. He has voiced the character inspector Vijay Desai in the audio series.
Tell us about your experience with the audio platform.
This is my first debut in the world of audio and my first association with Audible. I am glad that my first audio association is with Yash Raj Films of audio world.
How did you prep for it as it is something new for you?
I don't believe in prep. I have heard a lot of actors saying that, 'we are playing a criminal from the chawl, so we are going to live in the chawl for three months and find out how they live'. That's all bullshit. Prep is reading your line, understanding the scene, and understanding the psychology of the character and why he is saying certain things. It is as simple as that. People make a rocket science of entertainment and acting. The only thing I did was that I read the story. I read all the eight chapters or episodes. I read it backwards so that I know not only what I was saying but I would also know what the other characters are telling me. That has always been my prep even as an actor.
A lot of people read their own lines and go to the screen. But I know my lines, I know your lines, I know the lines of junior artists. I visualise the scene in my mind even in audio. Having said that, the deepest part of my prep was to try and modulate my voice. I used to stand in front of the mirror at home before I went for the first day just to see how I sounded because I had never heard myself. That was the only prep that I really did and nothing else.
Do you feel it would have been better if 'Woh Kaun Thi' was made into a web series or a film?
Not all all. In fact, I feel that a show like this you have seen on OTT platforms. But when you really want to engage the audience, the listeners and have him immersed in the world of Woh Kaun Thi, is more challenging of course as it is audio but it's always better to use a different device and have the listeners form their views and opinions about the scenes, about the characters.
In the audio series, it's only my voice. A lot of people don't even know it's me. It's okay. But they have to get engaged by Inspector Vijay Desai. They have to feel and visualise how he is walking, talking, etc. In the visual medium, there is nothing left to your imagination. So, I don't agree that an OTT or a film would have been better. It's the best start that I could have given to the audio medium.
How immersive Audible is as an audio platform?
When you work with them, you know you are in good hands. They have worked for several years and they know what they are doing. They were very efficient in the production of Woh Kaun Thi. Never did I feel it was my debut.
We miss you on-screen. Why are you seen so less?
I am actually very choosy. After working for 25 years on all platforms whether it's OTT, theatre, cinema or television, I have done it all. In 2019, I was the only actor in the world who had acted on television, cinema, OTT and theatre, all four mediums. But unless something excites me, I don't want to waste my time. I don't like to do run of a run-of-a-mill television show. I want to OTT but I want to do something like Khatron Ke Khiladi.
In cinema, my release was Mumbai Saga where I made a killer body. Before that I did Kaabil. In 2024, you are going to see a lot more of me. Get ready to see Rohit Roy in overdrive.
I am writing, directing and producing a show. In all probability, it will feature Ronit and Rohit Roy as brothers.
Earlier you said you were not getting work and you even asked for work. Now, do you feel you have got your due as an actor?
As an actor, yes, I have got my due. People say that I am a great actor, I look good and all. But have I got my due in the industry as a star? No. I don't think I have got the due yet. There are several reasons for that. I am not going to sit and think about those things. I will keep working till I get my due as a writer, director and actor. That is the only thing I know.
