Actor insists that he's quite comfortable juggling television and Bollywood together

A very familiar face on the small screen, Ronit Roy is gradually inching towards making his presence felt on the big screen as well, after his performance in Udaan was well appreciated. We chat with him about his upcoming projects and learn more about what drives him.

How did Udaan change your life as an actor?
It played a huge part and got me noticed. After Udaan, I started getting offers but not all of them were enticing. As you can see, I'm quite picky when it comes to work.

Do you see yourself more inclined towards offbeat cinema?
Not really. (After a pause) No doubt about Udaan being offbeat but what I played in That Girl in Yellow Boots was a significantly small role. And I did it for Anurag (Kashyap) who is a dear friend. The two films I'm working on currently are purely commercial.

And what about Deepa Mehta's Midnight's Children?
It's almost done. In this film adaptation of Salman Rushdie's novel, I'm playing the father of the protagonist.

Would you call your comeback in Bollywood a second innings?
Technically yes, but we need to understand that I once vied to be the hero in a film. And that was 20 years ago! Not anymore.

Over the years, I've matured a lot as an actor and to be honest, I'm currently pursuing more substantial roles. I don't even mind the comparatively shorter screentime as long as I believe in the character I'm playing.

You've been hailed as the Amitabh Bachchan of television. What's your take on that?
What can I say? He's a living legend and we all know that. It's simply an honour to be even considered in the same breadth.

Is there a possibility of you ever abandoning TV for movies?
I don't see that happening. At least not in the near future. I owe a lot to the small screen. I am what I'm today thanks to the love people have showered on me. As a matter of fact, I had to give up some really good movie offers thanks to my prior commitments to TV producers.

What's your philosophy as an actor?
Be more of an actor than a star! I want people to remember me as someone who tried his level best and made a considerable amount of contribution to good cinema.