Karan Patel Reflects on 26-Year TV Career & New Show The 50

Karan Patel on 26-year TV journey: "I was hungry, eager to prove myself"

Karan Patel, completing nearly 26 years in television, reflects on his journey marked by early ambition and key lessons in patience and humility. He credits his role in "Yeh Hai Mohabbatein" for major fame and acknowledges television for teaching unmatched discipline. The actor, also known for reality shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi, is now set to star in the upcoming large-scale reality format "The 50". Patel views this move as a reinvention and an evolution, aiming to explore new challenges and stay curious.

Key Points: Karan Patel Reflects on 26-Year TV Career & New Show The 50

Debuted in 2000 with Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii
Rose to fame as Raman Bhalla in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein
Calls television a teacher of discipline and resilience
Set to star in new reality show The 50
Views new phase as an evolution, not a detour

Jan 26, 2026

2 min read

Karan Patel reflects on two decades of television: Early on, I was hungry and eager to prove myself

Actor Karan Patel talks early ambition, lessons in patience, and his reinvention with upcoming reality show The 50 after 26 years in television.

"Patience and humility. Early on, I was hungry, impatient, and eager to prove myself. - Karan Patel"

Mumbai, Jan 26

Completing nearly 26 years in the Hindi television industry, actor Karan Patel says his journey has been defined by growth, patience, and hard-earned lessons, admitting that in the early phase of his career, he was hungry, ambitious, and constantly eager to prove himself.

It was in 2000 that Karan made his acting debut in TV czarina Ekta Kapoor's Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii as Vigyat. The show focused on the Agarwal joint family in Mumbai, highlighting the life of Parvati, an ideal daughter-in-law married to Om.

He then tasted success with his work in shows such as "Kasautii Zindagii Kay", "Kasturi", "Kasamh Se", "Kkavyanjali", and "Kesar". However, it was his role of Raman Bhalla in "Yeh Hai Mohabbatein" that shot him to major fame.

Asked what the biggest learning curves were for you as an actor, Karan told IANS: "Patience and humility. Early on, I was hungry, impatient, and eager to prove myself."

The actor shared that he learned that speed wasn't what mattered.

"Over time, I learned that consistency matters more than speed. I learned to respect the process, the crew, and the medium. Television teaches you discipline like no other platform, it's relentless, but it builds resilience."

Apart from fictional shows, Karan, who is married to actress Ankita Bhargava, has also made his mark in the reality television space, appearing on shows such as Survivor India, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10.

He is set to star in the upcoming reality show "The 50". As he explores new formats like The 50, does he see this phase as a reinvention rather than a break?

Karan told IANS: "Absolutely. This is reinvention. I'm not done, I'm evolving. I want to explore different formats, challenge myself in new ways, and stay curious. The 50 is not a detour, it's part of the journey forward."

Produced by Banijay Asia, The 50 is India's upcoming large-scale reality show. Streaming soon on JioHotstar and Colors, The 50 promises a bold new format set to disrupt the Indian reality TV playbook.

The upcoming JioHotstar show, adapted from the popular French series Les Cinquante, features 50 contestants in a lavish palace setting with no fixed rules for unpredictable drama, strategy, and politics.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Rohit P

Respect for his honesty. Many actors pretend they had it easy. Being "hungry and eager" in the early days is the story of every middle-class Indian trying to make it in Mumbai. His success gives hope to so many aspiring actors from small towns.

David E

Interesting read. The Indian TV industry's work ethic seems intense. "Consistency over speed" is a great lesson for any profession. Curious about this new show 'The 50' – 50 contestants with no rules sounds like a recipe for chaos! Hope the adaptation works for Indian audiences.

Ananya R

I appreciate his humility. But honestly, I wish actors like him would also use their platform to talk about the need for better scripts and shorter, seasonal formats on Indian TV. The daily soap grind is exhausting for actors and the quality suffers. His move to reality shows is smart.

Siddharth J

Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein... man, the nostalgia! He was brilliant as Raman. Good to see he's still evolving and not resting on past fame. The TV industry can typecast you easily. Wishing him luck for this new chapter.

Meera T

His wife Ankita is also so talented. They make a lovely couple! 😊 It's refreshing to hear an actor talk about growth and reinvention at this stage. Many just fade away. "I'm not done, I'm evolving" – what a powerful statement.

Karan Patel reflects on two decades of television: Early on, I was hungry and eager to prove myself

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