Christened Romald D’Souza by his parents, he was given thestage name of Paul Romy by Alfred Rose so as to add more impact to the name. Heis one of the few natural comedians of the Konkani stage who has carved a nichein the heart of every tiatr lover by his unique acting style. The youngergeneration may have not been so lucky to see him live on stage. However, whenthe talented artist was at the Ravindra Bhavan auditorium on a short visit toGoa, he took some time to talk to The Goan about his life and stage arts.
Hailing from Vagator in Anjuna, he is now settled in Mumbaiand lives in Andheri. On seeing his latent talent at a young age Paul Romy wasgiven the big break in professional circuit by the late
Valente Mascarenhas in the latter’s tiatr ‘Inam Rogtacho’.This was the turning point of his career that began to bloom much faster thanhis expectation. Alfred Rose, who was his great mentor and supporter, cast himin his tiatr ‘Rogtak Tanelolo’. When the tiatr was staged in Goa, Paul Romyimpressed the Goa tiatr lovers so much with his natural comedy that he became apermanent member of the Mumbai tiatr troupes that visited Goa thereafter.
Goan tiatr fans still remember Paul Romy with nostalgia forthe great comedy role he played in John Claro’s classic double century hittiatr ‘Portuguez Kolvont’. This is one tiatr that saw Paul Romy reach the peakof his acting career. He had a distinct style of delivering dialogue, which initself enhanced the comedy without any histrionics.
Every top director would offer him comedy roles in theirtiatrs. Paul Romy had a special knack for singing Konkani songs to rock tunesby Elvis Presley’s outfit, and virtually rocked the stage during in his prime,to a thunderous applause.
Paul Romy made another big impression with his comic rolesin the celluloid film Boglant, Bhuiemrantlo Monis, Girestkai as well as MogachiFaxi. In his mid-sixties he has not been seen much on stage, but does take upshows staged in Mumbai. The recent show he has done in Mumbai is Tony Martin’s‘Pai Dhuvechem Kazar’.
