I don’t believe in paid publicity on social media, says Rahul Roy
Rahul Roy became an overnight sensation with his debut film, Aashiqui (1990). As someone who had no godfather, connections or knowledge about the business, Roy admits that things wouldn’t have been the same if Aashiqui was a flop. “I don’t know... maybe there would’ve been fewer films. Had they not worked over a period of time, I’d have gone back and worked with my father in Delhi,” he says.
Emphasising that you shouldn’t let failures get to you mentally, Roy, 52, suggests, “All stars, who’re superstars today and are of my age, haven’t they faced failures? What’s important is for you to have the mental capacity to be able to differentiate criticism that’s irrelevant and [comes from] people who’re frustrated with their own lives and venting it out on you.”
Things have changed quite a bit with time, especially with the advent of social media. Roy, for one, doesn’t believe that the fan following on social media, which runs into millions, is real. “I don’t believe in paid publicity on social media, as I became a star when there were no Instagram followers… half the people who got millions, if they stand on their seats, nobody even recognises them,” retorts the actor, who feels true recognition is when you’re recognised on the streets.
“Even if my project is sh*t, [people] will say it and snap back. I’m talking about actual aficionados, not the trolls. Unko toh main ginti mein bhi nahi leta hoon,” concludes Roy.