Ronit Roy on playing an abusive father in Udaan: I am completely opposite; never even yelled at my children - Exclusive

Certain movies leave a lasting impression, and ‘Udaan’ without a doubt is one of them. Though the film has completed 15 years, the story feels fresh and to date resonates with the audience. On the occasion of its anniversary, actor Ronit Roy sat with us for an exclusive conversation. Speaking to us, he revealed that his character of an abusive father was completely opposite to his real-life persona. He has never even yelled at his children. Yet, he performed flawlessly.

He also spoke about the significance of the movie and more. Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

“The first thing that comes to my mind is that the film industry and people from the film industry took me seriously as an actor. I have grown in the stature of the films that I have done. They have grown bigger with passing time. And I have had a chance to work with almost every star except, of course, Shah Rukh Salman and Aamir. So grateful for that, that Udaan happened, and it was kind of my gateway back into the film industry. Being on TV and doing films.”

“It was quite difficult to play the role that I did. Vikramaditya Motwane is a very demanding director, and that was a role where I had personally experienced being an alcoholic or a drunk or whatever you call it. But no experience of being an abusive father. I am actually completely the opposite. I have never even yelled at my children. So it was difficult to find the zone. And like I said, Vikramaditya Motwane is a very challenging director. So there was a lot of homework with the help of the director. Whatever role I do, small or big, I try to do my best. It is up to the analysts and the judges of performances to rate my performances.”

“No, the role did not leave any hangover. I am not the kind of actor or human being who forgets who he really is. When I'm at work, I'm at work. When I'm off set, I don't carry my work into my personal space. If you're asking about the hangover of the portrayal of the character, there was none. But if you're asking about the hangover of the impact that the film made, fifteen years down the line, the impact is still there, and people still talk to me about the film. So the positive hangover of the impact of the film is there. There is no negative hangover or remnants, or any effect of my portrayal of the character.”

“It's a question that cannot be answered because ‘A,’ who will make another Udaan? B, I did a similar role like that in ‘Two States,’ which was also a super hit film. So I played a drunk father, kind of not abusive, but stern, and that type of father. But different characteristics. So I don't know if a role like Udaan were to come to me today. Circumstantially, that's how an actor works. There is a work list that I do. There is a worksheet that I prepared. And there are socio-economic standings of the character, history of the character. There are so many things. I don't think I would do Udaan differently, but if a similar role came to me, I'm sure there would be differences in the character. Hence, there would be differences in the character.”