Last Updated:
Vivaan Bhathena reveals how quitting television at his peak led to financial struggle, tough years and feeling replaceable despite being a top TV face.
He Quit TV After an Insult, Once Struggled for Food.
Success on television often looks secure from the outside. Vivaan Bhathena’s journey proves how fragile that security can be. Once among Indian TV’s most recognisable faces, the actor has now spoken honestly about the financial and emotional fallout of walking away from television at the height of his popularity.
Bhathena, who was recently seen in Razneesh Ghai’s period military drama 120 Bahadur alongside Farhan Akhtar, opened up on a podcast about how quickly things changed after he quit TV. Despite regularly being cast in affluent, polished roles, his real life told a very different story.
“I used to get all NRI roles. But nobody would believe I didn’t even have the money to pay for food. We used to put it together somehow. I wouldn’t say we were very poor, but we were literally just borderline making it happen,” confessed Vivaan on a new podcast.
After stepping away from television, he revealed that he had to take up work as a VJ just to survive. Looking back, Vivaan said his decision to leave TV was not impulsive, but driven by exhaustion and creative stagnation. “I got a little bored of TV. I kept doing the same thing for seven to eight years,” recalled Vivaan on Digital Commentary.
At the time, his workload was relentless. Vivaan revealed that he often managed two daily soaps simultaneously, leaving him with little rest and mounting health concerns. “It took an incredible toll on my health. But I needed that. I had to settle myself in life. I was married. I had domestic responsibilities,” said Vivaan.
Despite the difficult years that followed, the actor remains grateful to television for the financial stability it once gave him. He credits the medium for helping him clear major liabilities early in life.
“Today, I have two houses in Bandra because of television. I love TV. People say it’s lesser form. It’s looked down upon. But that’s not the case anymore,” claimed Vivaan.
He also spoke about how attitudes towards television actors have changed within the film industry. Recalling a conversation with Judwaa 2 director David Dhawan, Vivaan said opportunities have slowly opened up.
“They just don’t get the right chances. There are so many actors who’ve come from television now, whether it’s Mona Singh or Smriti Irani. Look where all of these people have reached,” said Vivaan, who previously worked with Smriti Irani on Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Vivaan then recalled the exact moment that pushed him to quit television for good. He said it happened when he was offered a role that made him feel easily replaceable. “I went to their office. The director wasn’t there, but the accountant was. When I asked him for the contract, he took it out of the drawer and threw it in front of me. Then I realized I have no value. If I don’t do this, someone would replace me. I was stuck at the same money for years. Even after you’ve proved yourself, people are bargaining with you to give you less and less money,” said Vivaan.
The incident left him furious. Vivaan said he tore the contract and confronted the producers directly.
“You’re lucky I didn’t slap your guy because this is insulting to another degree. I wouldn’t even do this to my staff or labour. I’m a human being. You don’t do this no matter what the price. I came back from the middle of a holiday for that,” he recalled.
December 22, 2025, 15:45 IST
