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Hiten Tejwani, Actor, on why he and wife Gauri Pradhan have kept away from Navratri tours abroad.
Gauri and you have been going abroad for Navratri shows. Why did you cancel going this year?
We've been going to the US for the past three years. This time we thought we should give people there a break! But seriously, one of the main reasons is that it's usually a long trip, which includes the Navratri event on weekends and lunches, dinners and sight-seeing on the other days that we do. We've always enjoyed ourselves. But this year, both of us didn't have that kind of time because of our shooting schedules.
How popular are Indian TV stars there?
When we went there the first time, we didn't expect that kind of a response. People were clamouring to meet us, shake hands, take pictures and get our autographs. It was overwhelming. People were calling us by our screen names. They watch Hindi TV serials regularly.
Are TV actors becoming an alternative to filmstars for making star appearances at Navratri shows abroad?
That I don't know. But, I guess, TV actors charge less than what filmstars charge. Also, a filmstar makes a single appearance, while TV actors are signed for a few days.
Did you look forward to Navratri earlier, before becoming an actor?
Yes, of course. I was born and brought up in a Gujarati-dominated locality. I would look forward to the festival, the aarti, playing dandiya.
Isn't the festival too commercialised nowadays?
Absolutely. The dandiya organisers spend on music, singers, the celebs they invite, food etc. It's bound to get commercialised.
Gauri and you have been going abroad for Navratri shows. Why did you cancel going this year?
We've been going to the US for the past three years. This time we thought we should give people there a break! But seriously, one of the main reasons is that it's usually a long trip, which includes the Navratri event on weekends and lunches, dinners and sight-seeing on the other days that we do. We've always enjoyed ourselves. But this year, both of us didn't have that kind of time because of our shooting schedules.
How popular are Indian TV stars there?
When we went there the first time, we didn't expect that kind of a response. People were clamouring to meet us, shake hands, take pictures and get our autographs. It was overwhelming. People were calling us by our screen names. They watch Hindi TV serials regularly.
Are TV actors becoming an alternative to filmstars for making star appearances at Navratri shows abroad?
That I don't know. But, I guess, TV actors charge less than what filmstars charge. Also, a filmstar makes a single appearance, while TV actors are signed for a few days.
Did you look forward to Navratri earlier, before becoming an actor?
Yes, of course. I was born and brought up in a Gujarati-dominated locality. I would look forward to the festival, the aarti, playing dandiya.
Isn't the festival too commercialised nowadays?
Absolutely. The dandiya organisers spend on music, singers, the celebs they invite, food etc. It's bound to get commercialised.
