Ronit Roy signs international project post `Udaan`

New Delhi: Television star Ronit Roy is looking forward to play a bigger role on the big screen post Anurag Kashyap-produced ``Udaan``, India`s only official entry at this year`s Cannes film festival. Ronit plays an authoritarian father in the Vikramaditya Motwane directed coming-of-age drama, which was the only Indian film to be screened at Cannes`s `Un Certain Regard` category in the last seven years.

The actor, who became a household name with his iconic roles as `Mihir Virani` and `Mr Bajaj` in tele serials `Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi` and `Kasauti Zindagi Ki`, has signed an international project and is also planning to star in a mainstream Bollywood project. "I have said yes to an international project. We have already had meetings and all. This is extremely challenging and a great role. It is another opportunity to challenge the actor inside me. I have also said yes to a Bollywood project," Ronit said in an interview over telephone from Mumbai. But for now, the 44-year-old star is eagerly looking forward to the reaction to `Udaan` in India. "The reception at Cannes was superb. It was startling for me to see an Indian film and Indian cast get such good response. After the screening we had a logn standing ovation. It was wonderful to be there and walk the red carpet," Ronit, who attended the screening with Motwane, Kashyap, Ram Kapoor and Rajat Barmecha said. The film, about a boy`s struggle to pursue his dream of being a writer much against the wishes of an authoritarian father, is slated to release in India on July 16. "I play a strict father in the film, which is a coming-of-age drama about a young boy. Initially I was to play Ram`s role but while shooting Anurag (Kashyap) changed his mind and told me to play the father," Ronit said. PTI