By Radhika Bhirani
New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Popular television actor Ronit Roy has finally done a full-fledged role in a Hindi film titled "Udaan" and is eagerly looking forward to it being screened at the upcoming Cannes Film Fest.
" 'Udaan' is a coming of age story about a father and his relationship with his 16-year-old son. It is quite a different film and should be path-breaking in terms of its content," Ronit told IANS over phone from Mumbai.
The cast and crew of the movie, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Anurag Kashyap and Sanjay Singh, plan to fly to France for the prestigious May 12-23 event.
"Udaan" will be screened as part of the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes' official selection that shows new experimental works and carries a prize money of over $40,000.
While Ronit has already received compliments for his performance, he says he prefers to let the audience take a call on his work.
"I don't like to comment on my work. According to whatever feedback I've got from those who have seen bits and pieces of my part in 'Udaan', this is one of the best pieces of work of my career.
"Once 'Udaan' is out in theatres, it will be there for the audience to see and judge. After all they are the best judge. That apart, I am excited about what the Cannes jury would have to say," he said.
The actor, who became a household name after featuring in TV shows like "Kasautii Zindagii Kay" and "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thhi", will be sharing screen space with Ram Kapoor, another popular television actor.
Ronit reveals that he was initially cast in "Udaan" for the role that was finally essayed by Ram.
"I was first cast in Ram's role. But the actor who was playing the role I finally essay had taken a commercial assignment. So I ended up playing his character and Ram came into the picture," said Ronit, who was earlier seen with Ram in hit TV show "Kasamh Se".
"Udaan" brings back Ronit to the big screen after a very long time. The actor has earlier done cameos in movies like "Army" and "Kisna: The Warrior Poet".
"I don't even remember the last time I did a movie. It was with Subhash Ghai (for 'Kisna') I guess. I have done some cameos, but it is after an extremely long time that I am playing a character per se. Very honestly, the roles I was being offered were very similar to my characters Mr.Bajaj or Mihir and I wasn't keen.
"I like to play radical characters - completely different from each other. I like a shift of personality in all the characters that I essay so that there is some challenge every time. I believe if I am growing in age, I must grow as an actor also. I cannot regress on that front," the 44-year-old said.
Ronit, who also owns a security agency, is currently busy shuttling between cities for the security of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket matches. He currently features in Imagine TV's "Bandini" and is contemplating two more movie scripts as well.
But he is sure that he will not take up anything that is "run of the mill".