Exclusive - Ronit Roy: Will refrain from TV till the time I don’t see a change in content and concept

Ronit Roy’s digital show Hostages, is now being aired on TV. The actor, who played the role of SP Prithvi Singh in the show, is glad that the show will now have a wider reach. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV, the actor spoke about his conscious decision to stay away from TV, its content and also how his days are all packed during the lockdown period. Being a part of show like Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Ronit talks about the big wave in TV back in 2000. (By: Sukarna Mondal)

It does feel great to know that Hostages will now have a wider reach. More people can see the hard work we have put into it. We have put all our knowledge and expertise to use in the show. I hope everyone will enjoy seeing it on TV. We are in an uncertain time and don’t know how things will shape up. So we will have to wait and watch when the second season will come.

Yes, in a way it has been a conscious decision. It’s not that I am opposed to doing TV. Whether you are an actor, scientist or be any other profession, there is something called raising the bar, leveling up, personal growth and progressiveness. When all these things evade for years, then that means something is wrong. I would gladly do Television. After Adalat, when I did a cameo (in Shakti as Advocate Rajat Singh), it missed all the things I said. Till the time I don’t see a change, I am going to refrain from it.

There are only certain notes in music. And whether you are making carnatic music or Bollywood music, it revolves around those 7 notes. Similarly, we have 7 emotions and 7 types of characters to play with. If I do something on TV, it has to be keeping with the times and has to be progressive. It can’t be regressive. That’s my only criteria.

In the year 2000, when I started working, it was the beginning of the big wave. We all rode the big wave. But no matter how big the wave is, it always crashes. I feel another big wave will come soon. While TV is serving shows for years, on the digital platform we have 15-16 episode shows. I think we need to have an in-between with 50-60 episodes. A few directors have tried and they failed. I feel others are scared to attempt. But it is the matter of one person getting it right and others will soon follow. We need to crack the code and need that one success.

We are country of 1.4bn people. And you can’t make one show for all these. Each show caters to a particular segment. We now have the privilege to even record TV shows and audience now need not miss any episodes. So we need that one finite TV show for the gen-next, which will attract others too. Naagin is a super-hit show and each show has its own audience.

This is something which the audience can say. I cannot speak on behalf of Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2 audience.

We have a fully-functional house. I have my workout, study, music. I practice playing a lot of instruments. I have to take care of my kids as well. Their online schooling is going on. I properly sanitize all things that are brought home, need to check on the daily essentials. So my days are quite packed and busy.