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Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chetan Hansraj Opens Up on Early TV Struggles, Says He Worked 22 Hours a Day
The early 2000s were a golden era for Indian television. Family dramas ruled prime time, TRPs soared, and the small screen gave rise to some of its most iconic stars. Among them was , known for his strong screen presence in shows like Kkusum, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, and many more. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But while the audience saw the glamour, behind the scenes was a world of relentless shooting schedules and sleepless nights. Speaking to Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel, opened about just how packed his days were back then. At one point, he was juggling three popular shows at the same time. 'I was doing three shows at the same time. I would shoot for 22 hours a day for 2-3 years straight. I would sleep whenever I got the chance, sometimes between shots,' he recalled. Days off were rare, usually only when he was completely drained. Otherwise, it was straight from one set to another, barely pausing to rest. Yet, despite the extreme hours, Chetan says he has no regrets. 'It was the most amazing experience of my life,' he said, calling that period the 'golden era of television.' He also credited Ektaa Kapoor for giving him the opportunities that transformed his career and life. 'When 2004 started, my bank balance wasn't great. But by the end of that year, I got married, bought a house in Bandra, and even bought my first car. My life transformed,' he shared. Chetan's story isn't unique. Many stars from that era have spoken about the intense grind. , who became a household name as Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, told Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiyaa on their podcast that she sometimes worked for 72 hours without a break. 'Our industry was known for the fact that no one slept. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now I shot for 72 hours straight. After working a 30-day schedule, I used to get paid for 45 days because my shifts would just roll into each other.' Apart from Kasautii, Shweta also appeared in Parvarrish and Baal Veer. Krystle D'Souza, known for Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai and Brahmarakshas, also recalled working 60 hours straight. 'I fainted on set so many times. They had to bring the hospital to me, with IV drips and medicines, and then I would go back to shooting,' she laughed.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Just how much money were Ektaa Kapoor's actors making during her peak? Chetan Hansraj gives a hint
Television actors have often complained about the extreme working hours in the industry, with some even revealing they worked for 24–48 hours non-stop. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, television actor Chetan Hansraj talked about working 22 hours a day and revealed how Ektaa Kapoor's shows changed his life. Chetan Hansraj revealed how doing Ektaa Kapoor's show transformed his life. Chetan Hansraj on working for 22 hours a day Chetan Hansraj recalled how, after getting signed by Ektaa Kapoor's Balaji and coming out of the office, he felt relieved. He then went on to explain how he had worked 22 hours a day while juggling shoots for three shows – Kkusum, Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. He said, 'I was doing three shows at once. I was shooting non-stop. I used to shoot 22-hours-a-day for those 2–3 years in the beginning, non-stop. I would take a nap whenever I got a chance. I would sleep in between shots. I used to carry on like that.' The actor shared that he would get a day off every week or two weeks because he would be too tired, but apart from that day, he would work without taking any breaks. However, he called it an amazing experience and further thanked Ektaa for giving him the opportunity. He said, 'When 2004 started, my bank balance wasn't that great. In fact, it was too weak. But by the end of 2004, I got married, I bought a house in Bandra, and I bought a car, my first car, so my life was transformed.' About Chetan Hansraj Chetan began his career as a child artist in the 1980s, appearing in shows like Mahabharat and Vikram Aur Betaal. As an adult, he gained prominence with popular TV serials such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kkusum and Jodhaa Akbar, often playing negative or intense roles. He has also been a part of Bollywood films like Hero, Bodyguard, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara and Shootout at Wadala, among others. He was last seen in Bhuvan Bam's web series Taaza Khabar in 2024. The show also featured Shriya Pilgaonkar, J. D. Chakravarthy, Deven Bhojani and Jaaved Jaaferi, among others, in key roles. It is available to watch on JioHotstar. He will next be seen in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash in lead roles. The film will release in two parts, with one of them releasing on Diwali 2026 and the other on Diwali 2027.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Chetan Hansraj Recalls Gruelling TV Days: ‘I Worked 22 Hours Non-Stop, Took Nap On Sets'
Chetan Hansraj recalls working 22-hour days for three years in early 2000s TV, calling it a transformative experience. At the height of Indian television's early 2000s boom, when Ekta Kapoor's productions dominated prime time, actors and crews often worked at an unforgiving pace to keep up with the industry's soaring output. Actor Chetan Hansraj, a familiar face in several Balaji Telefilms dramas of that era, has recalled just how demanding the schedule was and why he still considers it one of the best periods of his life. Speaking to Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel, Hansraj revealed that during the early years of his television career, he was juggling three shows at the same time – Kkusum, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat. 'I was doing three shows at once. I was shooting non-stop. I used to shoot 22-hours-a-day for those 2-3 years in the beginning, non-stop. I would take a nap whenever I got a chance. I would sleep in between shots. I used to carry on like that," he said. He explained that while he occasionally managed a day off, about once every week or two, it was usually only when exhaustion forced him to slow down. Otherwise, he worked continuously, moving from set to set with barely any rest. Unlike some of his peers who have spoken critically of the long hours, Hansraj described those years as invaluable. 'It was the most amazing experience of my life," he said, referring to the early 2000s as the 'golden period of television." Expressing gratitude to Ekta Kapoor for giving him the opportunity, he shared how quickly his career and financial situation improved. 'When 2004 started, my bank balance wasn't that great. In fact, it was too weak. But, by the end of 2004, I got married, I bought a house in Bandra and I bought a car, my first car so my life was transformed," he recalled. Hansraj's memories echo accounts from other television stars who worked during the same period. Shweta Tiwari, who played the lead in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, recently told Bharti Singh on her YouTube channel that she sometimes filmed for 72 hours without a break. 'Our industry was known for the fact that no one ever used to sleep or take rest. I used to shoot for 72 hours straight, without a break. After working a 30-day schedule, I used to get payment for 45 days, and that is because my first shift used to be from 7 in the morning to 7 in the evening, and the second shift was from 7 in the evening to 2 am in the morning," she said. Actor Krystle D'Souza has also spoken about extreme work hours, telling Siddharth Kannan that she once worked for 60 hours straight, even fainting on set from exhaustion. 'I have fainted on the sets so many times. The team had to call for an ambulance. I would get IV drips and medicines, and go back to shoot. There was no time even go to the hospital, (laughs) they would bring the hospital on set," she said. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘I would work for 22 hours non-stop,' Chetan Hansraj recalls working on Ekta Kapoor serials: ‘I would take a nap in between shots'
In the early 2000s, Indian television was going through a massive transformation as Ekta Kapoor put out one show after another, and all of them were major hits. It was during that period that television actors, and crews, were working round the clock. Recently, actor Chetan Hansraj, who was often seen in negative roles in Balaji shows, shared that he would work for 22 hours every single day, and he continued to work in that fashion for three years. Chetan was seen in Kkusum, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat in the early 2000s and he shared that this was a 'transformative' experience for him. In a chat with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel, Chetan shared, 'I was doing three shows at once. I was shooting non-stop. I used to shoot 22-hours-a-day for those 2-3 years in the beginning, non-stop. I would take a nap whenever I got a chance. I would sleep in between shots. I used to carry on like that.' The actor shared that he would get a day off every week or two weeks because he would be too tired, but apart from that day, he would work without taking any breaks. But, unlike many who have spoken about that experience in a negative way, Chetan Hansraj called it the 'most amazing experience of my life', and said that this was the 'golden period of television.' Thanking Ekta Kapoor for the opportunity, Chetan recalled how his life changed in the first year when he worked with the production house. 'When 2004 started, my bank balance wasn't that great. In fact, it was too weak. But, by the end of 2004, I got married, I bought a house in Bandra and I bought a car, my first car so my life was transformed,' he said. ALSO READ | Abused by mother, Bollywood's biggest child star would be denied food after slaving all day, danced for money on stage; no one from Bollywood attended her funeral Recently, Shweta Tiwari, who played the lead role in Kasautii Zindagi Kay, shared that she would sometimes shoot for 72-hours non-stop when she was filming for the show. In a chat with Bharti Singh on her YouTube channel, Shweta shared, 'Our industry was known for the fact that no one ever used to sleep or take rest. I used to shoot for 72 hours straight, without a break. After working a 30-day schedule, I used to get payment for 45 days, and that is because my first shift used to be from 7 in the morning to 7 in the evening, and the second shift was from 7 in the evening to 2 am in the morning.' Previously, actor Krystle D'Souza, in a chat with Siddharth Kannan, said that she would faint because of exhaustion but even then, she wouldn't get a break. 'I have shot for 60 hours non-stop. I have fainted on the sets so many times. The team had to call for an ambulance. I would get IV drips and medicines, and go back to shoot. There was no time even go to the hospital, (laughs) they would bring the hospital on set,' she said.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive! It was best to part ways: Nausheen on quitting Vasudha
Nausheen Ali Sardar; in the show Vasudha Nausheen Ali Sardar has quit the TV show Vasudha, almost a year after it went on air. There's buzz that her exit was due to creative differences. Ask the actress about it and she says, 'That's not true. I am a professional and never interfere in creative decisions.' She adds, 'There were some issues, which I thought would be resolved, but things didn't move in the right direction and hence, the production house and I decided to part ways. It was all amicable.' Her last day on set was an emotional one. She shares, 'I actually didn't know that it was my last day of shoot. I thought there were a few more days, so I wasn't prepared to say goodbye. But when I was suddenly told after my scenes were all done, I got emotional. My best wishes are with the entire team and the show. I even had a dear friend on the set - a dog called Rocky, who I will miss. It was an interesting journey that lasted around 12 months. ' The Kkusum actress plans to take a short break before considering new projects. 'I plan to go abroad for a short trip and then get back to work again,' she says. Nausheen also recently won the Dadasaheb Phalke award for lead icon actor in TV and completing 25 years. The award function was held in Dubai. She said, "It's an honour and I feel extremely grateful for recgonising my work. I am extremely happy and my family is all set to celebrate this achievement." Nausheen Ali Sardar On Her: Past Relationships, Refusal To Smooch-Bikini- Lovemaking
