Television helps run my kitchen expenses

Romit Raj made his debut in the television industry 14-years back but still retains his chocolate boy looks. He is known for his variety of characters on Sony TV’s popular show ‘Adaalat’

Romit Raj is known for his roles in TV shows like ‘Ghar ki Lakshmi Betiyaan’, ‘Maayka’, etc., but has been concentrating only on one show ‘Adaalat’ for the past three years. What makes him stay committed to just one show that too when he is not the main lead in it? “Not being a hero in ‘Adaalat’ is actually a blessing in disguise for me since I get to learn a lot being in 2nd position to a senior actor like Ronit Roy,” explains Romit.

The fact that he gets to play various characters in ‘Adaalat’ is an added attraction, “I have always liked characters played by Aamir Khan and Kamal Haasan who are known for their unusual get-ups in different roles. That has always fascinated me since childhood and I am inspired by them. So far I have done almost 25 different get ups in ‘Adaalat’ and I get satisfaction that I am doing justice to what I have been offered.”

From playing a lead to doing one show for so long what has been keeping Romit away from taking up more work? “As I said I am happy with ‘Adaalat’ but at the same time I want to do more work and waiting for a good show to come to me. Nowadays some shows with new producers go off air in three-six months time whereas all my shows have completed two-three years and 500-700 episodes each, which happens when you work with well known producers who are experienced. So I am very particular about the production house and my role in the show. In fact I have given couple of look tests and by the end of 2014 you might see me doing an interesting main lead!”

While many TV actors are jumping on to the big screen Romit is satisfied with the way his career has shaped up, “I always wanted to be an actor and we were staying in Kolkata when I told my parents that I want to pursue acting. I then went on to do modeling, did some Bengali serials before coming to Mumbai. When it comes to films; in 2004 I have done Gautam Ghosh’s art film ‘Yatra’ and Kushan Nandy’s ‘Humdum’ as a hero after my show ‘Shaka Laka Boom Boom’. However, I realised that I have no film background, no Godfather in the industry, which makes the struggle even more tougher for a middle class guy like me. So to run my kitchen and fund my expenses I decided to continue TV. My parents were always supportive and my dad told me that whatever you do in acting – TV, Ads, Films or Theatre give it your best shot.”

Romit has so far stayed away from reality shows too but is now ready for them. He says, “More than me it is my wife Tina who is excited to do a dance reality show, so hopefully in the very near future you might see us in one of them. I am not an adventure junkie but still would like to participate in ‘Khatron ke Khiladi’ since I watch it and am attracted to the show and feel that one can do so much of adventure activities in one show itself. However, I don’t know whether ‘Bigg Boss’ is my kind of show. I follow the show as a viewer and have realised that unless you don’t shout you don’t get noticed, which is not acceptable to me since I don’t want to get into any controversies and save my marriage and want my daughter to be proud of me. But you never know if I am paid lots of money I may think twice but my heart will always say ‘no’,” laughs Romit who is a proud papa to his two year old daughter Rehaa Raj.

At present the family is busy with the Ganpati festival as they brought the lord home for the first time this year, “It was Tina who wanted to do this for a long time and finally this year we decided to have a one and half day Ganapati at home. We got a terracotta clay idol at home and did the immersion in a bucket at home itself,” concludes the actor who is all excited to celebrate the festival in an eco friendly manner.