Yogesh Mishra | yogesh@bollywoodtown.in
Renowned TV actor Hiten Tejwani has acted in numerous movies. His most recent film, “Mano Ya Na Maano—Anything Is Possible,” has generated a lot of attention because of its intriguing plot, which centers on a guy who has lived on Earth for 14,000 years. Kutumb, Kyonki, Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and other popular TV serials are among Hiten’s most well-known works. He discussed his involvement in a recent Hindi film, his most memorable roles that he hopes to reprise, his future goals, and more in an exclusive conversation with Yogesh Mishra.
Tell us something about your role in the ‘Mano Ya Na Mano—Anything Is Possible’ movie?
My character’s name is Manav, a history professor. The idea is based on the renowned Hollywood cult classic movie, Man From Earth. It’s an official remake of that film. Well, the idea is the same, but we have adapted it to the Indian audience and not exactly like Hollywood. They have changed everything, and they made it to cater to an Indian audience. So, my character is called Manov, who has lived for 14,000 years. And whatever he is experiencing now, he has experienced this so many times in life that now it is just that he’s become immune to it. It’s not a big deal for him. He knows that whenever I say or whenever I announce this, that I have lived for 14,000 years, nobody will believe it, or someone will believe it. So, Mano Ya Na Mano. (laughs)
How did you get on board with this film?
I was approached by my director, Mr. Yogesh Pagare. He called me up and said that “I have a subject, and this is the subject: one man has been living since 14000 years. What do you think? To hear the whole script, we met up, and then we took it from there. He narrated the whole script to me, and I said, “Done, let’s do it.”
You’re playing the role of a history professor. So, how was history as a student?
Well, as a student of history, I would not say it was my favorite subject, but yes, it was interesting to know about, you know, what had happened, how it happened, and all. It was nice to once again go through everything because we have tried to give a little brief of everything that has happened in history because he’s experienced it; he’s witnessed all that.
There are rare films made on science fiction in Bollywood. So, how do you take this genre as sci-fi?
Well, it is interesting because, already, as I said, it’s a remake of the Hollywood film, but you know, nobody’s doing it. So, it doesn’t mean that we cannot do it or we should not do it. And it’s a good, interesting subject. I’m really thankful to my director and producer that he wanted to do something like this and wanted that people should know about this. And of course, a lot of things, you know, which we’ve added and we wanted to come across.
You have worked in many TV serials also, and some of them are mythologies. How do you consider mythology as a genre?
I didn’t do much, but yeah, I did one Mahabharat, where I played the role of Karn. Nothing else.
What was your first reaction when you came to know about this story?
Yeah, I was like, “I was also reacting like you for only, like, 14,000 years.” And then it takes you; it makes you want to just sit and think about it. What if it happens that somebody has lived for 14,000 years? So, what and all has he seen, what and all has he witnessed, and what and all has he gone through? And since the time he was born, the way he was living then, was he, you know, living at the same place for how many years, or was he, you know, chucked out or thrown out, or did he have to run away, or what? All this we have covered, and they are beautifully shown in the film. In the script there is about everything.
So, how much freedom have you taken to improvise any scene, dialogue, or anything in this film?
No, no. This particular subject is so delicate that I couldn’t improvise anything because for most of it there was no need, and this character is not the kind of character who would improvise anything. Whatever was there, the script was so beautifully written and so tight that we didn’t have to—I didn’t have to improvise anything. Yeah, lines I said in my way, which I had the liberty to do. I was given the freedom that much only. We didn’t want to stray away from what the writer wants to say. And you know, I’m saying something different.
It’s a one-location film. Right?
Yeah, it’s a one-location film, but, you know, very nicely done, very nicely planned.
One project that people think was a turning point of your career and one project that you personally think was a turning point of your professional life?
I also think the same way as people think. I did three shows before I got Kutumb, but Kutumb was the main turning point. And people also think the same because I became a household name through Kutumb. And, yes, and the second best, equally best, I would say, was Karan Virani of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Any particular character that you still wish to, you know, do again if remade or kind of from any of your serials or your film?
Well, I never thought that I would relive Karan; I am reliving Karan Virani again. Of course it is not regular, but I am coming as Karan Virani, so that is one good thing. But yeah, it would be nice to do Pratham Mittal. Now a little matured version and, more a little grey. I wish to play the role of Pratham Mittal again. It will be fun playing that character.
Would you like to give any message to the readers of Bollywood Town?
Yes, guys, please watch the Maano Ya Na Mano movie, which is written and directed by Yogesh Bagare and produced by Vijay Jain. Please do watch this film and give your love to this film. Thank you so much.
