| Hiten Tejwani, the actor who makes an entry into every Balaji serial is now in the news for replacing Cezzane Khan in Kasauti… He talks about taking on a popular role, his relationship with Ekta Kapoor, favourite soap and more to Q You are Ekta's blue-eyed boy!
I really don't know. Ekta is the best person to answer this question. Acting is my passion and I love my work. I work very hard and Ekta knows it. Sincerity and hard work never go unnoticed. In the last six years many actors have come and gone. Some didn't even last for more than six months. But I have lasted for six years and grown in stature. People know me as Hiten Tejwani and this is a big achievement. Q How come you feature practically in every Balaji show?
It's Ekta's call. She knows my capabilities and where I fit into her scheme of things. If she has a role for me she asks me to do it and I don't say no to her because I respect and accept her decisions. When things are working out very well for me and Ekta why should I say no to her? She gives me good roles, which help me grow as an actor. Q It's okay with you even if she asks you to replace someone?
I don't have any problem with that. In Kesar I replaced Ejaz Khan and it worked well for me. In Koi Dil Mein Hai I had replaced another actor and I didn't regret it. Now I am replacing Cezanne in Kasauti. Ekta has played a great role in shaping my career. I will always stand by her because the relationship has worked very well for both of us. Q Is it difficult to replace a popular actor?
I don't find it difficult at all and I don't feel the pressure either. People relate to the character more than the actor. The character remains the same but the actor changes. There is no demand to play the character like the actor you have replaced. I do it in my own style. Q Of all your shows which is your favourite ?
Kutumb is my all time favourite. But I have enjoyed every role that I have done because I love my work. However, Karan in Kyunki… is my best role to date because it has had all the possible emotions and shades attached to it. It's a wholesome character. Q How is your role in Karam… shaping up?
It is shaping up very well. In Karam… where I play Anupam Bhattacharya is a love story revolving around Shiv-Gauri and Anupam-Ipshita. Gauri's love for Shiv is unconditional and Anupam marries Ipshita. But the twist comes when Gauri will learn that Shiv loves Ipshita. Q You must be getting offers from other production houses. Why don't you work outside Balaji?
There is no need for me to work for any other producer apart from Balaji. I have been offered lots of roles but when I tell producers I can't give them even 15 days in a month they back out. I work all 30 days in Balaji. So where is the time to do other producers' serials? My first priority is Balaji. Q Don't you find it difficult to do three dailies?
Initially it is tough and requires lot of extra hard work. But when things settle down the pressure goes. Also when you are doing three shows for one-production house things get adjusted easily. | 
Anupamaa
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