Rohit Roy: Making the audiences hate the Pakistani officer at first and love him at the end is a challenge

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Rohit Roy speaks to mid-day.com about his upcoming short film 'Verses of War' co-starring Vivek Oberoi, playing a Pakistani army officer, completing 25 years in the industry and more.

What was it that got you on board for 'Verses of War?'

When I read the script, I was shooting for Vikram Bhatt and I called him immediately the moment I packed up, saying I want to do this film. The film is beautifully crafted and one of the best I've read in a long time. One dosen't get to play characters like these even in full length feature films. I understand a lot of people would have shied away from being part of a short film. I've never been one of those. I feel mediums might change but my job as an actor is to seek characters that excite me. 'Verses of War' excited me like no other script has in the last 25 years. I've said this and I'll repeat myself it's my best work and if people don't like me in 'Verses of War' I'm not cut out to be in this industry because I have for the first time liked myself.

Were you sceptical about playing a Pakistani army officer?

I was the first actor approached for this film and that's a challenge I took up. That time another guy was playing the Indian army officer but when I was approached, not once did I ask the director if I can play the Indian army officer. The whole challenge for an actor who has been around for 25 years is to push the envelope and do something he hasn't done before. To make the audiences hate the Pakistani officer in the beginning and love him at the end is a challenge. I'm hoping people see the subtlety and nuances in the character. If people like me it will be an award in itself.

How was it teaming up with Vivek Oberoi again?

It was like Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah coming back after 20 years for my film Rice plate. Then you have Vivek and me coming back 15 years after 'Shootout at Lokhandwala.' He's one of the most versatile actors, he hasn't got his due yet. In Shootout…most of my scenes were with him and we had powerful chemistry. We have mature as actors and human beings.

What was the biggest challenge shooting a short film?

In India the challenge with short films is the budget and time, since there is no particular market or channelized distribution. They were not even sure I would say yes. It's interesting they want to Vivek and he said yes. It wasn't a bad budget but short films typically have a shoe string budget. The way we are consuming content has changed. I think Verses of War will be a floodgate for short films.

Does completing 25 years seem surreal?

It dosen't feel surreal but it feels good because I'm a quintessential outsider with no backers and mentors. My only mentor has been Mahesh Bhatt, with Swabhimaan. Nobody can claim contribution to my success or failure. The kind of odds my brother and I faced, we still managed to carve a niche in the industry and continue to get the work we do. I'm grateful for that.