Tollywood actor Tota Roy Choudhury has revealed that he once turned down an offer to act in a Hollywood film because the role required a bedroom scene.
In a recent interview, Tota spoke about his acting career, family, Tollywood, Bollywood and future plans.
He said he liked the character he was offered in the Hollywood project but made it clear to the filmmakers that he would only accept the role if the intimate scene was removed.
According to Tota, his wife, Sharmili Roy Choudhury, is uncomfortable with such scenes.
He said that while he is willing to do many things professionally for a role, he does not want to do something that would cause his wife emotional distress.
Tota has always preferred to keep his personal life away from the spotlight. He said he wants audiences to see his work as an actor while keeping his private life private.
He had also previously discussed with his wife why she does not visit his shooting sets, saying her presence could distract him from his performance.
The actor also reflected on a difficult phase in his career when he struggled to find work for a long period.
He now considers that experience a source of motivation, saying difficult times taught him to appreciate success more deeply.
Tota began his professional acting career on 1 January, 1996. His portrayal of Feluda, after director Srijit Mukherji cast him in the iconic role, marked a significant turning point.
His performances in Sreemoyee and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani further expanded his popularity, while he has also worked in Hindi productions.
However, Tota said he prefers to be selective about his Hindi film projects and does not want to repeatedly play similar characters.
He is more interested in distinctive roles, which was one of the reasons he chose projects such as Black Warrant.
Speaking about Bengali cinema, Tota said storytelling remains Tollywood’s biggest strength.
He believes filmmakers should prioritise strong stories and talented directors over large budgets.
He also called for the passion for storytelling seen in the works of filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray and Tapan Sinha to return to Bengali cinema.
Tota also revealed that his daughter has no interest in acting and is pursuing higher studies in computer engineering.
Looking ahead, the actor said he wants to remain fully involved in acting until 31 December, 2036.
After that, he may continue acting part-time while devoting more time to yoga, meditation and spiritual practices, particularly Dhyana Yoga, Raja Yoga and Bhakti Yoga.
