Q. How did you begin acting?
I got into acting by chance. After passing out from Christ College in Cuttack and the Utkal University, I was into sports and Taekwondo. One fine day, Hara Patnaik Sir offered me a role, but the movie never took off due to various reasons. But the energy and the whole atmosphere in the industry just sucked me in and I decided never to leave. Then in 2006, I made my debut with Prema Rutu Asilare, a Brajaraj Movies Production. My first Bengali film was Takkar that was released in 2008. Like every actor, I had my share of struggle. Unless you are promising and have talent no one will spend money on you and that applies to everyone.
Q. What do you look for in a script?
I don’t accept a film on the basis of its language or its star cast but decide after going through the script. I should feel good listening to it. The script should touch me and the role should be convincing enough that I can do justice to it.
Q. What is your next Odia release?
Gud Boy that is scheduled for a May release. The movie has been directed by Jyoti Das and I am pairing opposite Priya. It’s a romantic action comedy. In fact, it has all the elements of an entertaining movie. The audience will laugh a lot in the movie and at the same time and appreciate the kind of songs, action scenes that have been put into it. I play the role of this boy who is witty, funny and very protective about his sister.
Gud Boy apart, I have just finished shooting for Raja Jhia Sange Heigala Bhaba that is a Sarthak Production and directed by Sudhanshu Sahoo. My role in Raja Jhia Sange... is completely the opposite of what I play in Gud Boy. I have been paired opposite Archita and the movie will release during Raja.
Q. Differences between Ollywood and Tollywood?
Except the language, there isn’t much difference actually. Shooting in Bengali movies is a bit comfortable as there are no budget constraints. Movies in Tollywood are made in budgets of `3 to 4 crores. Other than this, production quality and the style of films being made in Ollywood is the same as that in Tollywood.
Q. Why did you change your name to Rishi Roy?
I must admit, changing my name for Bengali film industry was the biggest mistake I have committed in my life. I had to change Arindam to Rishi for Tollywood because many people had problems in pronouncing my name. Some actually called me Aravinda, Aravindam (smiles). On a more serious note, I thought changing my name to Rishi would be more easy to pronounce. Unfortunately, I have become more famous as Arindam than Rishi in Kolkata. Hence, I have changed my screen name to Arindam once again.
Q. Did you take acting lessons?
I believe an actor should be a keen observer. I watch different kinds of movies, from comedy to serious cinema, to understand how actors sketch a particular character and I try to learn as much as I can from them. Sometimes I wonder how I’ve survived for seven years in the industry. Thankfully, my career graph has been slow yet steady and I have tasted both success and failure. That is what keeps me rooted.
Q. Five years down the line, where do you see yourself?
I see myself acting in more and more movies. I will be doing more of Odia films than Bengali ones. There are plans of acting for Bollywood films as well, but nothing has been finalised yet. Probably after 10 years, I will try my hands at making movies also.
