Latest news with #Hiten
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi's Hiten Tejwani says co-star Smriti Irani is still the same on set despite her success
Ektaa Kapoor's iconic show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi returned to the small screens on Tuesday, with Smriti Irani reprising her role as Tulsi Virani. In an interview with India Today, actor Hiten Tejwani opened up about his return as Karan Virani, and added how it felt to be working with Smriti after all these years. (Also read: Ektaa Kapoor says comparisons between Anupamaa and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi are 'unfair') Hiten Tejwani said he is 'grateful' to be back on Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. What Hiten said During the interaction, Hiten began: 'It's an honour to be part of a show like 'Kyunki', and to come back after almost 25 years... it feels like we never stopped. It's like we've just picked up where we left off. I was really happy. After all, how often does an iconic show like Kyunki come back? I just felt grateful to be a part of it again.' On working with Smriti Hiten also opened up about working with Smriti on set. In the last few years, Smriti went on to lead a political career. She became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She had been a member of the Indian parliament from 2011 to 2024, serving in the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat from 2011 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2024 as a member of the Lok Sabha from the Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Hiten said of Smriti, 'She's still the same on set. Despite everything she's achieved, she brings that same energy.' Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi became one of the most influential and successful Indian soap operas of all time. Produced by Ekta Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms, the show aired on Star Plus from July 3, 2000 to November 6, 2008, spanning over 1,800 episodes. The new reboot premiered on July 29 at 10.30 pm on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Hiten Tejwani says Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 co-star Smriti Irani is ‘still the same' even after 25 years: ‘Despite everything she's achieved…'
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is returning to the small screen with Season 2 today. Ahead of the premiere, actor Hiten Tejwani, who played Karan Virani in the original series 25 years ago, confirmed in an interview that he will be reprising his role. In the recent interview, Hiten also spoke about returning to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi sets after over two decades and reuniting with Smriti Irani. While talking to India Today, Hiten said, 'It's an honour to be part of a show like Kyunki, and to come back after almost 25 years… it feels like we never stopped. It's like we've just picked up where we left off.' He continued, 'This show is a legacy. Being part of it again feels like a blessing. No one expected it to return. TV has changed, audiences have changed, but the fact that Kyunki is back and people still care and it's amazing.' Recalling his first reaction when he heard the news about season 2 of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, the actor said, 'I was really happy. After all, how often does an iconic show like Kyunki come back? I just felt grateful to be a part of it again.' He added, 'We're back as Karan and Nandini. How and in what way, that's something you'll have to watch and find out!' ALSO READ | Amar Upadhyay reveals Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 will run for 10 months to a year: 'Mihir has changed a bit, but his relation with Tulsi is the same' When asked if reprising his role as Karan Virani was a challenge, Hiten Tejwani said, 'It was like coming home. Of course, there's always that process on the first day of figuring the character out again, but it felt easy. Familiar.' Hiten was also thrilled to reunite with actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani after so many years. 'She's still the same on set. Despite everything she's achieved, she brings that same energy,' he shared. Along with core values and relationships, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 will also focus on contemporary issues. 'Even back then, the show was ahead of its time. This version will also highlight topics that haven't been shown on TV much. The essence remains the same, but the themes will be fresher,' he revealed. Hiten also confirmed that a new generation of Viranis will be introduced in the show. 'You'll see new faces, but the roots are intact.' Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 will air at 10:30 pm on Star Plus tonight and stream on Jio Hotstar as well.
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Hiten Tejwani on reprising Karan Virani in Kyunki reboot, reuniting with Smriti Irani
Ahead of the much-awaited premiere of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot, actor Hiten Tejwani confirms he's officially back as Karan Virani, the character that made him a household name nearly two decades ago. And yes, Gauri Pradhan, his real-life wife and on-screen partner, is back too as Nandini exclusively to India Today, Hiten said the return feels surreal. 'It's an honour to be part of a show like 'Kyunki', and to come back after almost 25 years... it feels like we never stopped. It's like we've just picked up where we left off,' he recalled his reaction when he heard about the reboot: 'I was really happy. After all, how often does an iconic show like Kyunki come back? I just felt grateful to be a part of it again.' The actor added that the decision to return felt natural. 'We're back as Karan and Nandini. How and in what way, that's something you'll have to watch and find out!'Stepping back into Karan Virani's shoesFor Hiten, slipping back into Karan's role wasn't a challenge. 'It was like coming home. Of course, there's always that process on the first day of figuring the character out again, but it felt easy. Familiar.'When asked about the emotional arc of Karan, especially being named after Mahabharat's Karna and his complex journey into the Virani family, Hiten fondly recalled how he took it step by step. 'Back then, I wasn't told much. I was just asked to report to shoot. It was only over time, through the way scenes were written, that I started understanding Karan's journey. It was a beautiful arc, and I'm grateful the audience loved it so much.'What's new in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' this time around?While 'Kyunki' will retain its core themes of family values and relationships, Hiten said that the reboot will also tackle contemporary issues. 'Even back then, the show was ahead of its time. This version will also highlight topics that haven't been shown on TV much. The essence remains the same, but the themes will be fresher.'He also confirmed that a new generation of Viranis is being introduced. 'You'll see new faces, but the roots are intact.'Reuniting with familiar facesOne of the biggest draws for fans is the return of the old cast that includes Shakti Anand, Kamalika Guha Thakurta and Ritu Seth. 'When we met on set again, it didn't feel like we'd been apart. It was like old times, just continuing from where we had paused,' Hiten working with Smriti Irani, now a Union Minister, he added, 'She's still the same on set. Despite everything she's achieved, she brings that same energy.'Shooting today vs then: What's changed?Hiten also reflected on how television production has evolved. 'The technology is faster, smoother. Earlier, we shot with tapes and one or two cameras. Now, we use multiple cameras and chips that can be reused. Everything moves quicker.'He added that work shifts are now more streamlined. 'It's mostly a 9-to-9 or 7-to-7 setup now. Everyone knows their timing—it's more professional across the board.'On the audience's reactionadvertisementSo how does he think the audience will respond to this new chapter of 'Kyunki'?'You can never really predict. But the social media response so far has been amazing. Back in the day, we didn't have this kind of feedback. Now, it's instant. We'll know more once the episodes air.'What being part of 'Kyunki' means to Hiten Tejwani'This show is a legacy,' Hiten said thoughtfully. 'Being part of it again feels like a blessing. No one expected it to return. TV has changed, audiences have changed, but the fact that 'Kyunki' is back and people still care and it's amazing."'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot will air on Star Plus starting tonight at 10.30 pm. You can also stream the show on JioHotstar.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi's Hiten Tejwani on comparisons to Rupali Ganguly's Anupamaa: ‘Ab hum aa rahe hain…'
25 years ago, Ektaa Kapoor introduced the country to a soap opera, which went on to become one of the most loved, watched and remembered shows on Indian television. Yes, we are talking about the iconic Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. So when it was announced that the show is returning to our screens with the original star cast, along with the new generation of the Virani family, fans were seated. After Smriti Irani's first look, a fun behind the scenes clip gave us a glimpse of Amar Upadhyay as Mihir Virani, Hiten Tejwani as Karan Virani and Gauri Pradhan as Nandini Virani's reunion on set. Netizens were so excited about the show's return that they started pitting it against Rupali Ganguly's Anupamaa, which is currently one of the biggest shows on Indian television. Hiten has now shared his thoughts on the same. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi vs Anupamaa Actor Hiten Tejwani, who is returning to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with his real life and onscreen wife Gauri Pradhan, spoke to Telly Masala about how netizens are comparing his show to Rupali Ganguly's Anupamaa. Hiten was quoted saying, 'Ab hum aa rahe hain, humein aane toh dijiye. Fir baad mein aap log hi decide karenge kon kya hai. Hum kaun hote hain kuch bolne waale. Jo cheez achhi hai, achhi hai, joh achhi nahi hai, aap maalik ho, aapko pata hai, sabko pata hai. Fans hain, sab woh hi decide karte hain, unhein joh cheez pasand aati hai woh yun pasand aati hai, nahi aati woh turant bata dete hain. Aaj kal ki audience clear hai ye mamle mein.' Hiten went on to add, 'Hum log kisi ko neecha dikhaane ya kuch niche karne uske liye nahi aa rahe hain. Ek nostalgia hai. I am sure makers bhi chahte the Ektaa ma'am bhi ki kuch laaye aur aaj ke time ki baate kar paaye.' Also starring Rohit Suchanti, Aman Gandhi and Shagun Sharma as Mihir and Tulsi's children, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is all set to arrive on TV on July 29.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Hiten Tejwani on Gujarati film: Was tough to speak the language fluently
Having explored Hindi films, TV and OTT, actor Hiten Tejwani has now delved into Gujarati cinema. With Sanghavi and Sons releasing next month, the actor says working on Gujarati projects wasn't a cakewalk for him. 'Even though I understood it, it was tough to speak the language fluently. I learned my lines on set and it was exciting because I got to discover a new process. That's the thrill of being an actor,' he says. Hiten also returned to TV this year after a two-year gap with Meri Bhavya Life. He admits that the medium has evolved. 'There used to be a fixed idea in the industry — you had to look a certain way, have a perfect body to make it. But now, that's changing,' he explains, adding, 'There are also so many shows and platforms. Attention spans have shortened, so the storytelling pace has changed. Back in the day, a wedding sequence would run for months. Today, the same thing wraps up in a few episodes. Everything's faster and the audience wants to see more content in the given time.' Recently, industry has been abuzz with the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT). Having been a part of the iconic show, Hiten only has gratitude for the experience: 'KSBKBT gave me so much. I have countless memories — like being called to shoot suddenly after wrapping another show, not knowing what I was getting into. But I just went with it, and it turned out to be a big step in my career.' While he has forayed across mediums, Hiten insists that he is often labelled as still a 'TV actor'. However, instead of lamenting, he rejoices in it. 'I don't mind it. TV gave me everything and I know what I'm doing. I've also done OTT, films, regional cinema, theatre, and people who know me and follow my work, understand that. I don't need to prove anything. My work speaks for itself,' he ends.
