" People who take potshots at Ekta do so purely for publicity"

He's played Sangeeta Ghosh's son in law in Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, but in the forthcoming Virasaat he's going to play her lover. Rohit Roy is one of the few in tellydom who've had a larger than life persona, the party loving lover boy image that clashes uncomfortably with the dedicated husband and doting father picture that he paints for himself. Younger of the two Roy brothers, Rohit is yet the more flamboyant, even as he restricts his screen appearances to avoid over exposure. In a candid chat with Prashant Golecha, Rohit Roy traces his beginnings and his current status in the industry. How would you describe yourself? I am a straightforward, hardworking and an intelligent person, but can be incredibly impatient at times! Did you aim to be an actor all your life? No! I started as an assistant to ad director Kunal Kapoor. People spotted me shooting and I started getting modeling offers. The first was a print ad for Vimal Suitings. When I auditioned for Swambhimaan, Shobha De (the writer of the show) rejected me outright, saying I looked like I belong to the MTV generation, as I used to wear earrings and other accessories. But Mahesh Bhatt saw some spark in me and called me again. Shobha rejected me again but Mahesh was adamant on casting me as Rishab Malhotra! Later, of course, Shobha was quite impressed and I have been one of her favourites ever since! Swabhimaan ran for three years, during which I did two films - 'Lalchi' opposite Eva Grover, which didn't get a proper release and 'Jazbaat opposite Suchitra Krishnamurti which never did release! Then came Baat Ban Jaaye with Nikki Aneja and Rakhi Tandon, Bhabhi for six months and then Kkusum for seven months, during which I also did films - LOC and Plan. Sarrkkar is going off air now and Virasaat is my next show. Was Sarrkkar a satisfying experience? It is my second best role, after Swabhimaan. I loved playing Karan Pratap Singh. It was the role any hero on TV would love to do. Has marriage changed you? Mansi is the best thing to happen to me. We have been married for seven years. It was a love marriage. She was a model and I was an assistant director. Now she's my support system. Mansi doesn't need to do a job for job's sake. She will work in case she gets a very good offer. And fatherhood? It is the best thing, that's happened to me post marriage. I am more grounded thanks to Kiara. I guess my best assignments came to me only after her birth. She has been lucky for me. I feel an innate sense of responsibility, because I feel she has to like the work I do. Are you really a 'party animal' or just perceived as one? I thing it's wrong to call me that. It's just that I have had a fair share of socialising. I am an extrovert and an out-an-out people's person. And because I go to a lot of parties, it's obligatory for me to throw some as well. I have at least two parties in a year. Do you have close friends within the industry? I have my own set of friends, which I call my 'core group'. It includes director Sanjay Gupta, Samir Soni, Sudhanshu Pandey and Mandira Bedi. We meet at least three times a week. 'NAre you as fond of astrology and numerology as your brother? I don't really believe in all this. I believe in hard work and destiny. But there was a point in life when I was low, I did go to an astrologer which I think everyone does! Where are you more comfortable - films or TV? I have never left one medium for the other. Films have a beginning, middle and end. A film hero needs a certain presence, personality, attitude and skills. TV is the best training ground. TV has been too kind to me. I have done the kind of roles I wanted to do. But I haven't allowed myself to be over exposed. In the last ten years, I haven't done more than three major series. I am doing three films as of now. It seems to be the best phase of my life and career. What's your equation like with big bro Ronit? Ronit is like a phoenix who has risen from the ashes. He was written off but he came back as Mr. Bajaj. He is just four years older to me. (I am not going to tell you my age…I am eighteen till I die…laughs) He is like a father figure and extremely protective. He's mature beyond his years. He is a fantastic dancer, a talent that has not been used effectively on TV. He dances far better than all the people who are currently dancing in shows. Would life have been better if you had been Abhay Kapoor in Kkusum? Anuj Saxena replaced me because I had to go to America for a month and the producers didn't have a choice. I did want to continue the show as I enjoyed the role a lot. I always knew I would be replaced and I didn't have any problems. Anuj is still a friend. And I did do a Balaji show Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeequat after I returned from the US. Did Mansi feel bad when she was replaced in Kkusum? Mansi's replacement was a sensitive issue because of the way it was done. I explained to her that producers sometimes have to take a harsh decision. Ekta too mentioned to me that she was very upset about the whole issue and would make up for it. I have no idea how the rumours started about me having a problem with Ekta Kapoor. I go to all her parties and she comes to mine. We will surely work together when the right project comes. In my opinion, people who take potshots at Ekta do so purely for publicity.