Being Fit is Part of Who I Am, Says Rohit Roy

What does spirituality mean to you?

Spirituality, to me, is a deeply personal concept. As for myself, I am a very, very deeply spiritual person. While I might not necessarily believe in following traditional rituals, I do incorporate a few into my life. My journey into spirituality began early on, thanks to one of my teachers who introduced me to it without me even realising what it was at the time. As I grew up and gathered life experiences, my understanding and connection to spirituality deepened. A pivotal moment for me was when I started attending Vipassana sessions back in 2014. That’s really when I began to appreciate and understand the true essence of spirituality.

How do you keep your mental calm?

To keep my mental calm, I rely on a simple hack – taking a step back and meditating for 10-15 minutes. I shut my eyes, blank out everything, and just breathe. This helps me detach from stress, whether it’s from work or personal life, like concerns about my parents, kids, or spouse. I have been fortunate to have minimal negativity professionally, with my work always being appreciated, and I have never been trolled. But when stress does come, meditation is my go-to solution. It’s not about chanting or mantras, just detaching for a bit and letting things pass. On the other side, I find perspective – nothing is constant, right?

How do you keep fit?

I keep fit by believing that a healthy mind leads to a healthy body, and vice versa. I genuinely enjoy working out and looking good, and it’s not just about vanity – it actually motivates me to push myself harder in the gym. Whenever I get compliments on my appearance, it gives me that extra boost to keep going. I have been super disciplined about health and fitness throughout my life, and the key thing is that I truly enjoy the process. For me, being fit both inside and outside is absolutely key to living a long and healthy life – that’s how I approach it.

How do you personally balance the pressures of social media with maintaining your own sense of self and authenticity in the public eye?

The pressure to look good as a public figure has increased like 1000 fold since I started my career with ‘Swabhiman’ 30 years ago. Back then, we only knew how much people loved us through letters written in blood – there was no social media, no Instagram or Facebook. So there was no constant pressure to look a certain way at the gym or airport. Now, the pressure is intense, but I refuse to take it too seriously. I enjoy fitness, it’s not a chore for me – I would rather play pickleball for two hours. I dress for the occasion, not to impress others. I wear what’s comfortable, like a black suit repeatedly if needed. I admire people like Saif Ali Khan and Aamir Khan who are comfortable in what they wear. For me, being fit is for myself, not just for the paparazzi – I like being fit, so it’s not pressure, it’s just part of who I am.

What’s your workout regime like?

My workout regime is a three-pronged attack. First, I prioritise Vipassana meditation – half an hour in the morning and evening – which helps me stay grounded. Second, I eat well, limiting junk food and cheat days even when travelling, like my recent three-week trip to America where I only cheated 20% of the time. Third, I hit the gym for strength training – there’s no alternative to pushing iron. When your mind and body are sorted, you are good to go, and I am passionate about my work, which keeps me motivated to continue.

Tell us about this role of DCP Avinash in ‘Saubhagyavati Bhava’.

I loved playing DCP Avinash in ‘Saubhagyavati Bhava’. I was drawn to the role because when they narrated it to me, I was blown away by the entry scene. It was a guest appearance for just a month and a half, but I knew I had to do it. I adapted my approach for television, which is all about rushed pacing. When I saw the whole sequence come together on set, I knew I had made the right decision. Even now, people still share my entry scene on Instagram, and I am glad I was part of that cool franchise.

What’s the biggest take away from your work experience?

My biggest takeaway from working with various filmmakers is from director Sanjay Gupta – just calm down and relax on set. He teaches you to not react to problems, because there’s always going to be something going wrong. His set environment is super healthy and happy, treating everyone equally, which makes working with him feel like a holiday. I have learned from him to create a chilled-out set culture, which is actually the opposite of how I used to be as a director, but now I aim to make my sets feel like a party.

One piece of advice you would give to aspiring actors?

I would probably repeat Naseeruddin Shah’s advice to me on my first day of shooting for ‘Swabhiman’, which has stuck – learn your lines like the back of your hand so you are not thinking about them on set. This lets you improvise and better your scene. Know your co-actor’s lines, your cuts, and the camera angles. Be aware of your surroundings and the lens being used. Read your lines a hundred times so you are just talking naturally, not delivering lines – that’s what makes a good actor.

So how much time do you spend on your scripts to this day?

I spend a ton of time on scripts, reading them over and over till the scene is shot – easily over a hundred times. It’s a brand new piece of work every time. I believe in understanding the scene’s concept and context, making the lines my own, not just mugging them up like in school. Every writer has a meter, but I don’t stick rigidly to the exact lines – I make them raw and natural, not mechanical. This is my formula for acting.

What next, what are your upcoming projects?

I have got a script ready for a film I want to direct, and I have written two OTT shows which we are pitching. My plan for 2026 is to revive Rohit Roy Productions, direct my film, and get those OTT shows on board. By the end of September, we should have clearer dates on these projects.

Tell us about the patch on your arm

I am wearing a transdermal patch from a company called BIGME, which I have invested in and become a brand ambassador for. I am passionate about this because I have always wondered why India doesn't have transdermal patches for supplements like creatine, ashwagandha, and caffeine. This method is cleaner than pills and powders, which can upset your gut. I tried their pre-workout patch and saw a huge difference in my energy and body within three days. When a photo of me wearing the patch went viral, the founders from Indore reached out and I ended up becoming an investor and partner – I am happy to bring this innovative product to India’s youth.

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