Hiten Tejwani: I'd Love To Do Negative Roles

Hiten Tejwani: I'd Love To Do Negative Roles

In a candid chat, Hiten Tejwani talks about replacing Sushant Singh Rajput in Pavitra Rishta, doing negative roles, his anchoring experience, and more...

Out of all the daily soaps you've done so far, which role has been your most favourite and closest to your heart?
Pratham Mithal from Kutumb and Karan Virani from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi are my favorites.

How did Pavitra Rishta come your way?
Everybody knew Sushant (Singh Rajput) was leaving the show. Auditions were being taken and I also gave it a shot. After the look test and everything, they felt I suited the role and could do justice to it.

Were you apprehensive about replacing Sushant Singh Rajput who was already hugely popular as Manav amongst the masses?
Not apprehensive. I agree the character was already a craze amongst the viewers. Replacing him was certainly a big challenge. But I tried and gave my best to the role, and result is right here – people have liked and accepted me as Manav. That's precisely why I have been playing the part for the last one and a half years.

Television industry is dominated by female-centric characters. Are you satisfied with your character portrayals in such soap operas?
Yeah, right from the beginning, I have seen that the story is about female characters, but then women do have men in their lives. We (male characters) are also an important part of the serials. Much like the phrase, 'Ek haath say taali nahi bajti', women can't stand alone, thus they need support and that's when the male characters come in the picture.

We've mostly seen you in positive shades. Don't you want to experiment and explore more negative characters now?
My character in Kyunki… was grey, so was in Chhoti Bahu. When you are doing negative characters, you can experiment a lot, as the character has no defined sketch to follow, whereas with positive roles, you have to follow a defined sketch, which is made for the character. In future, I will definitely love to do something of that sort if it comes my way.

How has the experience of hosting Savdhan India been? What do you enjoy more – anchoring or acting?
I am lucky to do both. Any actor would be happy if he gets to do various kinds of shows. Savdhan India is a crime based show in which I, as Hiten Tejwani, inform people about the system, about the crimes, and personally it gives me a high that I am doing something for the society. The show is also a medium through which we inform our audience as to how the system can help them in various needy situations.

What is the best thing about being an actor?
People have a wrong perception that an actor's life is simple and that they only have loads of fun. But the reality is that we have to work really hard for at least 12-16 hours a day, and it certainly is not a cakewalk. On the other hand, it feels great that people know us as stars, they admire us.

Your biggest achievement so far?
It is difficult to survive in this industry, and I have been around for over a decade now. That's the biggest achievement for me.

Do you have Bollywood dreams?
All actors have Bollywood dreams and so do I. Let's see if some good offers come my way.

Who is your inspiration in the industry?
As of now, there a lot of people like Amitabh Bachchan, SRK, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Irrfan Khan. They all are fabulous actors.

Are you excited about anything currently?
I am always excited. I am doing three shows currently, which is definitely very exciting for me.

RAPID FIRE

Define Hiten Tejwani…
Simple, down to earth, happy-go-luck, and positive.

Glamour, success, money: Your preferred order?
Success, money, glamour.

If you had a cheating partner?
I wouldn't have, I'm sure.

What if your wife earns more than you?
Good thing, I will take a break and spend time with my kids.

What bores you?
People boasting about their connections.

What's your style mantra?
You should be able to carry it off and be comfortable in whatever you wear.

What do you want to be the last line in your biography?
"Show must go on."

A little secret you don't mind your fans knowing?
People know everything about me.

A film that inspired you?
Life Is Beautiful.

A film that bored you to death?
Roadside Romeo.

http://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/hiten-tejwani-id-love-to-do-negative-roles-72983.html

Ya I remember shantanu in Chhoti Bahu. Hiten did a fab job there. Thanks for the article. I liked his answers.

Hiten is versatile actor.I loved him as Karan in KSBKBT he was brilliant fantastic actor.playing Manaav was big challenge for hiten and I am so proud and happy for him he proved himself again.

Very nice interview!
Thanks for sharing, Aanchal.

My very 1st show of Hiten was 'Choti Bahu', but it was very disappointing bcos the makers of that show did not utilize him properly at all. The character was brought in, wasn't given any depth to it and they got it rid of so lamely.

It is very difficult job for anyone to coming in place of another actor, when the character is popular with the masses. Hiten did a fabulous job becoming Manav.

TFS the article Aanchal...

Loved this part😆
What if your wife earns more than you?
Good thing, I will take a break and spend time with my kids.

Nice interview .