Chetan Hansraj recalls working 22 hours a day with rarely off in early TV days: 'I would take a nap…'

Working in television often means long, grueling hours. Actors frequently face demanding schedules, sometimes working late into the night or through weekends to meet tight deadlines. Many actors have spoken out about these challenges, highlighting the pressure to memorize lines, perform multiple takes, and maintain a high level of energy despite the fatigue.

During the early 2000s, when Ekta Kapoor's shows were at their peak, the Indian TV industry pushed actors and crews to work relentlessly to meet the high demand. Chetan Hansraj, who starred in many Balaji Telefilms dramas, remembers the grueling schedules but still views it as a highlight of his career.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Chetan shared that, early in his career, he was managing three shows simultaneously: Kkusum, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat. “I was doing three shows at once. I was shooting non-stop. I used to shoot 22-hours-a-day for those 2-3 years in the beginning, non-stop. I would take a nap whenever I got a chance. I would sleep in between shots. I used to carry on like that," he said.

Hansraj mentioned that he rarely got a day off, maybe once every one or two weeks, usually only when he was completely worn out. Otherwise, he was constantly working, moving between sets with little rest.

Hansraj, in contrast to some of his colleagues who criticized the long hours, called those years "the most amazing experience of my life," referring to the early 2000s as the "golden period of television."

Hansraj expressed his gratitude to Ekta Kapoor for the opportunity, stating that his career and financial situation improved rapidly. He recalled that his bank balance was not good at the start of 2004, but by the end of the year, he had married, bought a house in Bandra, and purchased his first car, which transformed his life.

Chetan also revealed that movies are fleeting, but television has been around for 20 years and continues to thrive. He also describes Bollywood as a cutthroat industry, where if you're tall, good-looking, and an outsider, you barely stand a chance.

He states that he's working today because he chose to diversify his career beyond films, not solely relying on the film industry for opportunities.

On the professional front, Chetan recently confirmed his role as Sumali, Ravana's maternal grandfather in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan. Having already wrapped up his portions for the film, Chetan praised Nitesh Tiwari's vision, calling it a spectacle that will leave audiences awestruck.

Chetan said, “I’m playing Raavan’s nana in the film. It’s a very crucial role… It starts with him. It’s one of the best shoots I’ve ever done in my life. I can’t say more, but it is by far the best shoot I’ve ever done… Abhi toh chaalu hua hai, jab sab saamne aaayega and shots dekhenge, you’ll understand the scale it’s being done at."