“I’ve worked very hard over the past 25 years,” Hiten said. “In the early days, I would go home only to bathe and change. I hired several drivers, but none stayed because they couldn’t handle my long hours. I used to drive myself and often dozed off behind the wheel. Once, I even hit a divider—but thankfully, nothing serious happened.”
Recalling one of his toughest phases, Hiten said he worked double shifts for an entire month. “For 30 consecutive days, I did 30 extra shifts. When I finally collected a ₹1 lakh cheque, I felt so proud. I thought, if I were in a regular job, I could never have earned that amount so quickly.”
Currently portraying Karan Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, Hiten explained that the so-called 12-hour shifts on TV sets often extend endlessly. “Our official shift was 9 AM to 9 PM, but shooting sometimes continued till 5 AM. Then, the next shift started at 7 AM. That meant working 22 hours straight. Some crew members would switch off the lights so I could nap for a bit—I literally slept on the set floor.”
On the changing times, he added, “Now it’s harder to work like that because cameras capture every detail—if you’re tired, it shows.”
When asked about Deepika Padukone’s reported request for an 8-hour workday, Hiten said, “Work-life balance is very important. Deepika is a mother, and it’s good she’s clear about her schedule. Some people agree to terms during the contract and then create problems on set later.”
Highlighting the immense pressure in the TV industry, Hiten revealed, “I’ve worked continuously for 72 hours on multiple occasions. Once, during a 30-day schedule, I was paid for 45 days because my first shift ran from 7 AM to 7 PM, and the second from 7 PM to 2 AM.”
Through his story, Hiten sheds light on the relentless demands and sacrifices behind the glamour of television, underscoring the need for healthier work conditions in the industry
.jpg)
3.jpg)
