A job in the television industry does not come with a guarantee. Your show might be axed, your character may get killed or you might be replaced.
Hiten Tejwani
Divorce isn't the best thing that can happen to anyone.
I worked in 'Ghar Ek Mandir,' 'Kaahin Kissi Roz' and 'Kabhi Sauten Kabhi Saheli,' but it was 'Kutumb' which was the turning point.
I take life as it comes and am a chilled out kind of guy.
It's not as if people don't know my real age or anything. It's like you're watching a college drama where someone's playing a father, a mother or even a grand father, but every one knows they are actually college students.
When I get a role similar to the ones I have played earlier, I try to do something different with the part.
My idea of opening a restaurant was important. The whole point is that I couldn't have been totally dependent on acting for my income... even though I want to remain in the field of entertainment forever.
I have never shied away from looking old or playing older roles on TV, since I feel my audiences know the real me, so why not have fun with roles that are not me.
I'd beg to differ from the common perception that real-life soul mates don't make a good pair on camera.
I am going to oblige all my TV commitments, and if films work out, I will make a graceful exit.
Bigg Boss' for me was a different experience altogether and if I get a chance to push my boundaries again, I would love to be a part of it.
My kids are very active and want to know about everything. I like to be around to teach them stuff.
Frankly, I just come to the sets, complete my work and go away.
I don't think I will be able to quit small screen.
It's great to have something to fall back upon. I don't come from a business family; so I thought of starting something so that my kids also have some backing in future.
No one likes to play grandfather, especially when you are a father of two toddlers in real life.
I can't sit idle, as I love to work.
Kyunki' will never end. The way the story is going I don't see an end. People always complain that it's dragging along but they have to watch it every night!
Yes, I was married once, before Gauri entered my life.
I have not been following 'Bigg Boss' that much but after being on the show and being on the other side I am sure I would want to watch it and know all about the contestants.
I am a good father in real life, that's why I'm able to play a good father on screen so convincingly.
I played the lead in 'Kutumb,' my debut serial. But after that if I had been stubborn asking for lead roles, just a few shows would have come my way.
I want to play roles where my absence should be felt. It may not necessarily be a lead role, but my character should be crucial to the show.
Besides 'Mahabharat,' I am also acting in two serials - 'Karam Apnaa Apnaa' and 'Kyunki.' Three serials at one time mean I won't have time for anything else.
There is no doubt that the sets are unhygienic but you really can't do much about it because we have to shoot, come what may.
Nothing can match the feeling you get when you finally get something after waiting for it for a long time.
Through 'Bigg Boss' I got a chance to meet 18 different kinds of people and have now learnt to deal with them.
I have been a part of several shows, however this is the first time I am hosting a crime reality show. 'Savdhaan India' is a unique show that showcases how ordinary people have fought crime and stood up for their rights.
The normal perception is that you expect your partner to change for you. But you have to remember that you have married the other person because of the way he or she is.
Bigg Boss' is kind of a real world and now I've figured out a way to deal with things in the outside world in a better way.
I don't have an exact picture of where I aim to see myself, but I want to do something which will be an example for everyone. If anyone is giving a reference for good work, then they should think of me.
If I can, I would like to do as many different roles in a year because then there is no stagnation. That used to happen when I played one role in a serial for years. When a show goes on for years and is delivering ratings, you didn't get the chance to take up other roles and shows.
My marriage with Gauri is the best thing that could ever happen to me.
I think everyone should be a parent at some point in life.
I remember as a kid, my two brothers and I had to share gifts. We couldn't afford to have one for each of us. Today, when I buy a gift I have to buy for both my kids as I can't give something to only one of them.
The values my parents taught me were the best gift I ever got.
There are many kids who are greedy or don't appreciate things or take things for granted but it's not their fault. It's the parents who have to show and teach them the difference between right and wrong.
I love talking, even to strangers.
Frankly speaking, I feel anyone who starts acting, be it in theater, TV, or even advertisements, is looking at Bollywood.
I have always wanted to get into Bollywood.
With TV, you don't get much time to prepare. It's all done that day itself, on the set. Shoot, and leave.
All that I am today, every part of my success and experience- it's all because of TV.
As an actor, I want to explore films.
There are many young and new directors, who have fabulous concepts and story ideas, and this is why I do their films. And the bottom line is, when I was a newcomer, someone gave me a chance too.
I was always interested in designing - in fact, I styled my own look for my role in 'Kasauti Zindagi Kay' with the hood, bling and loose pants, which was novel back in 2006.
Actors can lose their jobs easily, so we need a back-up plan, an alternate business to fall back on.
Any job, whether it's your own or salaried, needs your personal attention.
It is always comfortable and easy to work with your life-partner because the chemistry is already there. You don't have to work towards it, whereas if you have to make an effort, then it can look artificial and forced on screen.
It was love at first sight and luckily, neither of us had to propose as we both knew we wanted to stay together... Gauri is my whole world. She is my anchor.
'Bigg Boss' is not at all scripted. Though sometimes it seems that fights between the contestants are already pre-planned but living for over two months in the show, I know that nothing is planned and scripted.