Veteran actor Ronit Roy recently shared a deeply emotional account of his early days battling hunger and poverty before his Bollywood debut, recalling a heartwarming act of kindness from a dhaba owner.
Recalling the Initial Struggles
Ronit Roy, known for his impactful roles in both film and television, revealed the immense hardships he faced in the 1990s while trying to establish himself in the industry. During a recent interview on the Hindi Rush podcast, he opened up about this challenging period of his life.
Before his 1992 debut film, *Jaan Tere Naam*, Roy described himself as a withdrawn person. He admitted this might have hindered his career prospects early on, as he often kept to himself and didn’t actively seek out opportunities.
A Moment of Unforgettable Kindness
The actor tearfully recounted a particularly dire time when he could barely afford one meal a day. He frequented a famous dhaba near Bandra station, where he would alternate between *kaali daal* and *palak paneer* with two rotis.
One day, finding himself completely out of money, Roy could only ask for two rotis and some onions. To his surprise, the kind dhaba owner served him two rotis along with some daal. When Roy clarified he hadn’t asked for the daal, the owner simply replied, “It’s on me, because you always eat daal on this day.”
This gesture of compassion, extended when he was at his most vulnerable, left an indelible mark on Ronit Roy. He shared that he can still vividly picture the man’s face, highlighting the profound impact of such simple human kindness.
Life After Debut: Still a Battle
Even after his acting debut, financial stability remained a distant dream for Roy. He revealed that he earned 50,000 rupees for his first movie, but this amount was paid in small monthly installments of 4,000 rupees.
Though 4,000 rupees felt like a significant sum at the time, it barely covered his expenses. Roy explained that for a long time, his life continued to be a hand-to-mouth existence, despite landing acting roles.
- Ronit Roy faced severe hunger and poverty before and immediately after his 1992 debut.
- A kind dhaba owner provided him with free daal during a time of extreme need, a memory that still moves him to tears.
- Despite acting in films, financial stability was elusive for a significant period, with payments often spread out.
Ronit Roy’s journey is a powerful reminder of the struggles many face on their path to success and the lasting impact of human compassion during difficult times.
