Ronit Roy

Ronit Bose Roy (born 11 October 1965) is an Indian actor who works primarily in Hindi television and films and Bengali films. He gained immense popularity for playing Mihir Virani in the hugely successful soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Rishabh Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. One of the highest paid television actors in India, he has earned numerous accolades including a Filmfare Award, five ITA Awards, and six Indian Telly Awards.

Early life and background

Roy was born on 11 October 1965 in Nagpur, Maharashtra in a Bengali family. He is the eldest son of a businessman, Brotin Bose Roy and Dolly Roy. His younger brother, Rohit Roy is also a TV and a film actor. Ronit Roy spent his childhood in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He received primary education from Ankur School, Ahmedabad. After his schooling, Roy pursued hotel management. After completing his studies, he moved to Mumbai and stayed at the residence of filmmaker Subhash Ghai. While Roy was keen to work in the film industry, Subhash Ghai persuaded him, not to pursue it due to the difficulties associated with it. Ronit worked as a management trainee at Mumbai's Sea Rock Hotel. To have experience at all different levels, Ronit's work ranged from dishwashing and cleaning to serving tables and bar-tending.

Career

Film career

Roy made his debut in the Hindi film industry with Jaan Tere Naam (1992) which was a commercial success. He starred with Aditya Pancholi and Kishori Shahane in Bomb Blast (1993). which was also a commercial success.

After his success on TV, Roy featured in more Hindi films in supporting roles. In 2010, he starred in the critically acclaimed film Udaan; his work was much praised and won him many accolades. Roy's performance was ranked among the 100 greatest performances of the decade list by Film Companion.

Udaan brought Roy back to the film scene. He next starred in films such as Anurag Kashyap's That Girl in Yellow Boots, Karan Johar's Student of the Year, Deepa Mehta's Midnight's Children, Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Wadala (produced by Ekta Kapoor), and Anurag Kashyap's Ugly.

In 2013, he played the main antagonist in the Akshay Kumar starrer BOSS, and in 2014 he appeared in 2 States in which his performance received much appreciation.

In 2017, he has also shared screen with the Hrithik Roshan playing the role of an antagonist in the thriller film Kaabil. In the same year, he made his debut in Telugu with N.T.R Jr. starrer Jai Lava Kusa, where he played the role of main antagonist Sarkar. He has also appeared in films like Machine (2017), Lucknow Central (2017), and Loveyatri (2018).

Roy was seen next in Puri Jagannadh directed romantic sports film Liger (2022). In 2023, he played the antagonist in Gumraah and Bloody Daddy.

TV career

Roy received a call from Balaji Telefilms to offer him a part in the television serial Kammal. Due to the lack of any appealing film offers, he accepted the offer. Before Kammal got started, Balaji Telefilms also offered Ronit for Kasautii Zindagii Kay as Rishabh Bajaj, a middle-aged business tycoon. That also landed him in Balaji Telefilms' Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi as Mihir Virani, which won him consecutive Best Actor Popular awards at the Indian Television Academy Awards.

From 2009 to 2011, he played the role of Dharamraj in NDTV Imagine's Bandini, which won him accolades for his astonishing portrayal of a crude and ruthless diamond merchant who is never defeated.

He has also participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, a dance reality show in 2007, and another show, Yeh Hai Jalwa in 2008 as a contestant. He hosted the Kitchen Champions in 2010 which was on Colors TV.

In 2010, he starred in Sony TV's popular courtroom drama show Adaalat as K.D. Pathak, a sharp unique lawyer who only fights for the truth.

He returned to the drama genre in 2014 with Balaji Telefilms's Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyar as Dr. Nachiket Khanna, alias Neil K opposite Pallavi Kulkarni.

In 2016, he starred in Adaalat (season 2) where he reprised his character from the previous season.

Digital career

In 2018, Roy made his digital debut in an ALTBalaji's web series Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain along with Mona Singh and Gurdeep Kohli.

In 2019, he starred in an Indian crime thriller web series Hostages.

Other work and media image

With his performances in Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Bandini, Adaalat and Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar, Roy established himself among the leading and highest-paid actors of Hindi television. In 2014, Roy was placed ninth in Rediff.com's "Top Television Actors" list. His performance in Udaan is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.

Roy owns Ace Security and Protection agency (AceSquad Security Services LLP). It currently caters to Bollywood actors such as Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan and recently Saif Ali khan; also to Indian Premier League ex-Chairman and ex-Commissioner Lalit Modi and his son Ruchir Modi. Some of the film projects that Ace Security and Protection have also lent their services to are Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Yaadein, Na Tum Jano Na Hum, Saathiya, and Armaan.

Personal life

Roy was married to a woman named Joanna Mumtaz Khan, and they have a daughter named Ona.

On 25 December 2003, he married actress and model Neelam Singh, with whom he has a daughter Aador (born May 2005), and a son Agastya (born October 2007).

Filmography

Films

Television

Web series

Accolades

See also

• List of Indian television actors
• List of Indian film actors
• List of Hindi television actors

External links

• on Instagram
• at IMDb
• at Bollywood Hungama