Back on the burner

AMRITA MUKHERJEE / TNN / May 24, 2006, 23:32 IST

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There used to be a time when guys would give their right arm to ape Rahul Roy's hairstyle.

There used to be a time when guys would give their right arm to ape this hero's hairstyle. That's around 15 years back.
Then as the hero puts it he got tired of doing romantic films, was grappling with the loss of his parents, got married and was generally staying away from the arclights and looking after his family business.
Times indeed have changed: Now, while taking a break from his job at his family business, Rahul Roy, star of a 1990 Mumbai blockbuster about a struggling musician who falls in love with an orphan, can loiter anonymously on a street corner.
Unable to duplicate the show-stopping performance of his debut Aashiqui, Roy faded from the limelight after tasting fame, cast out from the celebrity cocktail parties and magazine covers he formerly graced. But now that he's decided to make a comeback, he is making his Bengali film debut too.

Roy of Aashiqui, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee fame has been roped in by director Rajat Das to star in his Bengali film Prem Shakti.
In fact, Rajat Das can also boast of introducing Ayesha Jhulka to Bengali films, where he directed her opposite Prosenjit in Katha Dilam. "I got in touch with Rahul through a common friend and he was keen to do a Bengali film. Things clicked instantly," said Das.
Rahul adds his bit candidly, "I have done Marathi and Bhojpuri films too. Frankly speaking I have not watched many Bengali films and I am not a Bengali either, that many people wrongly think me to be.

But I know there are talented people in Bengal and intelligent work is going on there. In fact, when I heard that Victor Banerjee is also doing the film I was very happy that I'd be able to work with him. I admire the actor immensely."
Talks are on with Rachana Banerjee to play the lead opposite Rahul and the actor will come down to Kolkata to shoot from August first week. Rajat elucidates, "I have seen Rahul's films and I especially liked him in Junoon where he would transform into a tiger.
My film is based on family pride and misunderstandings that ensue because of the same. There is an underlying love story and it's the love between this young couple that resolves this conflict."
"I am looking forward to shoot in Kolkata. Before that I will be shooting in London for Kallol Sen's film," says Rahul. He's just finished shooting for Ashiqo Ko Jalana Buri Baat Hai, Chakkar Pe Chakkar, Boys. "A couple of films are on the floor. I never relied on films for sustenance.I've got to be motivated enough," he signs off.
amrita.mukherjee@timesgroup.com

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