Be Very Afraid

This weekend, he leads a star cast in the play, Ovee, a horror play, directed by Aniket Patil, about a teenage girl, who has been sent to an orphanage by her paternal uncle after her parents die.

Rohit Roy ensured that his voice modulation and dialogue delivery were different for each character.

I am an actor by accident. My foray into films was when I was 21. Theatre is a more recent phenomenon,” says Rohit Roy. A famous face on the big and small screens, Roy first acted on stage around 10 years ago in Unfaithful with Cyrus Broacha and Perizad Zorabian. This weekend, he leads a star cast in the play, Ovee, a horror play, directed by Aniket Patil, about a teenage girl, who has been sent to an orphanage by her paternal uncle after her parents die. Soon, paranormal activities start taking place and she must confront her fears. Excerpts from an interview with Roy:

Why did this play appeal to you?

It is a fabulous story in which every minute is an edge-of-the seat kind of scene.

Who do you play in the story?

I play three characters — a sleazy uncle, a police officer and a psychiatrist. I have to make sure that the voice modulation, dialogue delivery and body language are different for each.

What are the challenges of working on a horror on stage?

To coordinate with the other actors in tandem with the live special effects on stage is the biggest challenge. It is critical because the lighting has been done keeping in mind the position of actors and the lines are cues to the special effects. Unlike other plays, where one has freedom to move around, Ovee requires us to stick to the script.

How do you respond to a live audience?

The actor has to be on his toes throughout because the audience in every region is different. The stage is the final and ultimate validation for an actor.

The play will be staged at Kamani auditorium, Delhi, on September 7 and 8

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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