Exclusive – Kyunkii Saas... fame Hiten Tejwani on his professional journey: I still give audition for my roles, there's nothing wrong about it

Hiten Tejwani, in an exclusive interview with ETimes TV spoke about working on different platforms, and how he finds his comfort zone. "TV is challenging and I love challenges. I give my 100 percent to all mediums," he said. The actor also spoke about sustaining himself in the industry for so many years. "I want to do good roles, not necessarily main lead only," said Hiten. He called the lockdown to be a blessing in disguise as he got to spend more time with his family. Excerpts from the interaction. (Interview by: Sukarna Mondal)

Yes, yes I do. The thing is, people have seen me in a particular role, and they want to see me in the role they want to offer… to see if I can look that part, it’s equally important and ok. There’s nothing wrong in that. And I want to tell this to all the actors with all due respect, that if you are a good actor, you shouldn't think that you won’t audition,. That’s my belief. Pic: Instagram

I feel happy and grateful. I appreciate yet. Even when they come for photos, I click. During the pandemic, people would say ‘don’t get clicked’ but main toh kheecha leta tha. At the airport, shoot, people always come to you. In our profession, this comes along as their love. It keeps us going. They see our shows and love us, and this is the way to give it back to them. Pic: Instagram

Oh yes, I remember going to the set and my name was still not decided. They were discussing whether to name me Karan or something else. And before getting the look shot, I got to know my name is Karan. First scene was my footsteps and then they showed my face. I came and I smiled. I was playing Sahil’s friend. That time I was just Karan and not Karan Virani. They later found out that I am the illegitimate son. Pic: Instagram

You see this is debatable. Change toh hona hi hai. Those were the days when you saw the boom, it was evolving. Those were the times of good shows, good scripts… mazaa aata tha. Now thinking has changed, people have changed. Now if you give them saas-bahu, they won’t watch it. They want what is relevant and in a better way. Pic: Instagram

The idea is, if you have a family you have to give them time and respect. Touchwood, we are in the same field and Gauri knows my work. She knows what goes into our job. You respect each other and give them space and these are the basic necessities. Rest then falls in place. Pic: Instagram

I get into the character that is the basic for me and I just flow with the character. Of course the captain of the show is there and if he wants me to do it a certain way, I’ll do it. When you start thinking about the platform – TV, web or film, it becomes mechanical. By the grace of God, audiences like my performance and that’s a good thing. Frankly, I don’t differentiate between platforms. While doing theatre, I do it bit loud, because I have to reach out to the last row. In TV, you need to give a bit loud and shocking reactions but apart from that everything is very similar. Pic: Instagram

TV is challenging and I love challenges. In TV, I don’t know what I am going to shoot today. Everything is on the spot. I read and shoot on the spot so there is lot of spontaneity. Films are more comfortable because you know the start and end. You know your scenes in advance and you can prepare accordingly. There’s no rush. I love my work and give my 100% everywhere. Audience might not get the technicalities but if the character connects, then the job is done. Pic: Instagram

I can’t thank enough my well-wishers. I am grateful to all my fans, well-wishers and my audience. I have never thought like I will play the main lead – the hero. I wanted to do good roles. I have played important characters and I have played main lead also. So I go in for good roles, so maybe that is the reason. And also you can ask people, I am very punctual and disciplined about my work. Somewhere down the line, I feel that’s also noticed that ‘He comes on time’. That’s the mantra. You have to work hard. Pic: Instagram

By God’s grace, I have never seen hardship in life. And I have taken breaks for myself when my kids were born, during opening of my restaurant. Apart from that I have been working throughout luckily. These six months were a blessing in disguise where I got to spend so much time with my family. And now I am busy once again. Pic: Instagram