MUMBAI: Mahesh Pandey and Hiten Tejwani have known each other for over two decades now. While they were introduced to each other by mutual friend and actor Yash Tonk, they first worked together 19 years ago in "Kutumb". The show was Hiten's first show as a lead, and it was also Mahesh's first show as a solo writer, and it definitely gave both of them a major kick in their career. 

Talking about his association with the actor, Mahesh said, "Yash Tonk is my very good friend, and Hiten played his younger brother in TV show 'Kaahin Kissii Roz', so that's how I met him. Professionally we worked together first in 'Kutumb', it was my first show as a solo writer and I was even acting in the show, so I used to spend time on the sets and it was quite fun. Then I was writing his other show 'Tantra' too, but didn't know that he was acting in it until the show went on-air. I have always had high regards for Hiten as an actor and always as a human being."

"Though I will accept that we have never been like 3 a.m. friends, we always had that emotional bond because of the success that 'Kutumb' gave us. And whenever we met, we always indulged in long conversations. In fact I wanted to get him on-board in 'Vidya' too, but that did not work out, so I created this character Shiv Gupta keeping him in mind. He was never high-headed, even after getting so much stardom and success, he is still so down-to-earth. I genuinely feel he is a good human being and a fabulous actor," he added.

Mahesh also appreciated the actor for playing his role with perfection, and also for not giving up on him even when the show was delayed.

"Even in real life Hiten is like that, he brings everyone together and that's how his character Shiv is. He plays pranks on the set, and makes everyone laugh. We have always had that respect for each other. Though we have worked in just three-four shows, we admire each other. And during the lockdown, he got so many calls with offers of new shows, but he stuck by my side, and I can't thank him and the other artists enough for this," Mahesh signed off.

"Gupta Brothers" is the story of four brothers who considered themselves to be self-sufficient and vowed to never get married and how their life changes when one of them ties the knot. The show, produced by Madhu and Mahesh Pandey, also features Sonal Vengurlekar, Parineeta Borthakur, Akash Mukherjee, Satya Tiwari, Meet Mukhi, and Rinku Dhawan.