“Hard work ka koi substitute nahi hota.”
In an industry often driven by instant visibility and social media numbers, Heital Puniwala stands out for a different reason—consistency, craft, and quiet credibility. Over the years, he has become one of the most recognisable and dependable faces in Indian advertising, earning him the industry nickname ‘Ad King’.
But behind the familiar screen presence lies a journey built on theatre, patience, and an unwavering focus on work rather than fame.
Theatre: Where It All Began
Heital’s acting journey began in Surat, during his college years, where he actively participated in theatre and stage performances. His early roles were modest—sometimes just a brief appearance but they ignited his passion for acting.
“Main us waqt bilkul raw material tha, par mujhe clear tha mujhe theatre hi karna hai.”
He started from the very basics—assisting backstage, observing senior actors, helping with props, and learning the discipline of live performance. Over time, his dedication translated into stronger and more demanding stage roles, shaping him into a versatile performer.
A line from movie 3 Idiots deeply resonated with him:
“Wahi karo jisme tumhara talent ho.”
Mumbai: Faith Over Labels
When Heital moved to Mumbai, he carried confidence but no rigid expectations about the medium.
“Mere liye sirf kaam matter karta tha—TV ho, film ho ya advertisement.”
He strongly believes in the philosophy: “Narayan ke bachche bhaago toh Lakshmi khud peeche aati hai.
”Work, for him, became a form of worship rather than a stepping stone to fame.
Entering the Advertising World
While continuing theatre, Heital discovered advertising auditions—an industry known for its fierce competition. At one audition, nearly 150 actors were present, and most were rejected.Instead of walking away silently, he took initiative.
“Maine poocha Casting director se kya main aapko apni profile bhej sakta hoon? Unhone kaha—abhi to kaam nahi hai, par future mein ho sakta hai.”
That small conversation proved crucial.In 2011, Heital did his first television commercial. Since then, through auditions and consistent performance, he has worked in hundreds of ad films across brands and platforms, making him one of the most frequently cast character actors in Indian advertising.
“Lagbhag 8000 auditions dene ke baad yeh safar bana.”
Industry note:
Heital Puniwala is widely recognised within casting and production circles for his extensive advertising portfolio and reliability on set—this reputation, rather than publicity-driven claims, is what earned him the informal title of ‘Ad King’.
Working with Amitabh Bachchan
Working with Amitabh Bachchan is considered a milestone for any actor, and for Hital, it was also a profound learning experience.“Pehli baar Bachchan sahab ke saath kaam karte waqt main kaafi nervous tha.”
What I learnt from the incident was:
“Kisi ke prabhav mein bhi mat raho, aur kisi ke abhav mein bhi mat raho—bas apne swabhav mein raho.”
Heital has shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in multiple advertising campaigns, selected through auditions—an achievement that reflects trust in his craft rather than connections.
The Reality of the Advertising Industry
Heital explains the selection process honestly and without glamour:
“Ek character ke liye 150 log audition dete hain, director 7–8 ko shortlist karta hai, client ke saamne 3 jaate hain, aur budget ke hisaab se ek final hota hai.”
He also acknowledges how the industry has evolved:
“Aaj kal Instagram followers bhi dekhe jaate hain. Pehle production houses sab handle karte the, ab kai baar client khud ad bana leta hai.”
Despite changing trends, he believes solid performance still matters.
Spirituality, Balance & Mental Health
Like any long creative journey, his career has seen phases of uncertainty.
“Kabhi lagta hai itni mehnat kar raha hoon phir bhi kaam slow kyun ho raha hai.”
To stay grounded, Hital practices meditation and Sudarshan Kriya, and follows the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living.“Spirituality anxiety se bahar nikaalti hai. Sabse important sawaal hai—who am I?”
Films, OTT & Creative Aspirations
Heital continues to explore meaningful on-screen work. He is associated with the film ‘Sheeshad’, directed by Vipul Shah and featuring Shefali Shah, a project rooted in strong storytelling rather than spectacle.
Creatively, he enjoys character-driven roles.“Garam Masala mein Akshay Kumar ne jo character kiya tha, waisa fun aur layered role karna mujhe pasand hoga.”
The Industry Today
According to Heital, the entertainment industry has changed completely.“Market ab 360-degree badal chuka hai. OTT ne boundaries tod di hain, aur kaam ab sirf ek medium tak limited nahi raha.”He believes audiences ultimately decide what survives.“Log jo dekhna chahte hain, wahi dikhana padega.”
Message to Aspiring Actors
His advice to newcomers is simple, realistic, and reassuring.“Agar acting karni hai toh acting mein lage raho—yeh ek process hai.”
He believes every actor must work on:
Clarity of mind
Purity of heart
Spontaneous action
“Talent aur luck hamara subject nahi hai—woh upar wale ka hai. Hamara kaam sirf karm karna hai.”And he signs off with the belief that defines his journey:“Hard work ka koi substitute nahi hota.”
By Siddhant Jai Saxena
