Hitesh Bhardwaj is the new lead in Udaariyan. The RJ and actor plays the role of Akampreet Singh Randhawa in the show that is being produced by Ravie Dubey and Sargun Mehta’s Dreamiyata Entertainments. “I got a call from the Udaariyan team a month ago. I gave my audition, we had a few meetings, script discussions and then I was finalised. Akampreet Singh Randhawa, my character in the show, is an amazing guy. He is an honest man and has his own charm,” he says.
Initially, Hitesh followed the show. “I really like the script and the show. But later because of time issues I couldn’t watch the show anymore,” he adds.
Over the years Hitesh has maintained a very lean look. “There’s no secret behind this. You should eat healthy and good food, and workout is the key. There are a few people in my life like Pravin, Prajwal and Om Fit team, and they have really worked hard on me, and helped me in looking a certain way. So, I have the whole team’s motivation working here,” he shares.
About the changes he has seen in the industry over the years, Hitesh adds that there isn’t much that has happened. “We all still work like before, just the patterns have changed a bit. We still have to work very hard in order to get and give the best,” he adds. Male actors also get substantial roles on TV these days unlike how it was earlier. “Of course, it has been happening for a long time. I’ve always said this in all my interviews that there is no other medium where you get work on the basis of how much you hustle. TV has space for every such person,” says Hitesh, who would have been a writer or lawyer.
So, what are the two trends you have noticed in the industry? “Reel is one trend that has been done a lot. This is showbiz, everyone does something or the other to stay in news, reach out to their audience and promote their work. The other trend that I have noticed is how fashionable everyone has become and how much they are conscious about how they look and what they wear,” he adds.
Punjabi storytelling is being loved by the audience, be it in films, web series or on TV shows. “After Choti Sardarni, things changed a lot, and it’s still the same. It’s a different feeling when your work gets praised and loved by the audience. It feels like I have achieved what I wanted. Once, when I was travelling, we stopped at a Dhaba for lunch. There people recognised me and treated me in a very special way. Even still now, after two more shows, the love I get from Punjab makes me feel super grateful and thankful,” he ends.