HITEN SETS PULSES RACING

An Ekta's protg, he is apparently one of the soap queen's favourite actors. In return Hiten Tejwani is equally loyal to his mentor. What else would explain Hiten's career taking off with Balaji's Kutumb and growing strong with the production house's subsequent shows like Kya Haasda Kya Haqeeqat, Kahiin To Hoga, Koi Di Mein Hai and Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai besides Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi where he plays a key character. It seems there is a place for Hiten in practically every Balaji show. If he is not part of a show in the beginning then he is assured of a role in it subsequently. Hiten did not figure anywhere in the star-studded Karam Apna Apna that was launched on Star Plus two months ago. But now he has been added to the cast of the show in an important role.

"I am playing Anupam Bhattacharya. He is a writer himself and owns a big publishing house," says Hiten who becomes the beleaguered main protagonist's saviour, guide and benefactor. On the day of her marriage Gauri runs away on learning that Shashank has not turned up for their marriage. She meets Anupam in a park. "Anupam had met her before and that meeting is shown in the flashback where he had advised her on life's philosophy and how to live positively and face all problems," explains Hiten who is the third important person in Gauri's life. "There is an interesting track in the offing and what happens next is quite interesting to watch."

Hiten's career is going from strength to strength and he admits that it's all thanks to Ekta. "Hats off to her. She has given me a variety of roles to play. Balaji is like a second home to me," says the actor who plays Karan in Kyunki. While post-generation leap quite a few characters were put on the backburner, some were sidelined and others were shown the door, Karan continues to stand tall in the midst of countless characters. Where is the character going now?

"Well he will be in a dilemma because Nandini (his first wife, played by his real-life wife Gauri Pradhan) is coming back after 20 years of remaining without any trace. Also Bhoomi is getting married to Abhir who is not a nice guy. So there is lot in store for Karan," he smiles. But the smile on his face disappears as soon as you ask him about Nach Baliye. Probably he is more at ease delivering dialogues and expressing his feelings in serials than hitting the dance floor. His performance in three episodes over as many weeks has been far from rocking.

"We have done an average job," he admits. "But I am improving and so is Gauri. I am not a good dancer and initially it was quite tough. But now I have started enjoying it. It's a reality show and it gives a different feeling," says Hiten, hoping to improve further and raise his performance to higher bars in coming weeks. "If we do well I see myself going to the eight or ninth round," he says quite positively.

May be he is too ambitious. But then life is nothing without ambitions and without efforts. He and Gauri were not on talking terms for six months despite working together in Kutumb. The ice was broken and they opened up. They started going out and after one and half years of courtship marriage happened. It may be difficult to dance but it's not easy to win a lady's heart. Having won Gauri's heart it may not be all that difficult for Hiten and Gauri to dance better in tandem. "In reality shows anything can happen," he says.