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Two much trouble for Gaj

Gajendra Singh's marriage to Ashwini Karandikar, who directed his shows, is on the rocks

By: Shaheen Parkar

Taking his show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa from Zee to Star (with a new name, Voice of India) has made producer-director Gajendra Singh come under a considerable amount of flak on the professional front. However, things are also amiss in his personal life.
His marriage to Ashwini Karandikar (who directed his shows Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) is on the rocks. This was Gajendra's second marriage and they tied the knot in 2002. It is learnt that he also has two children from his earlier marriage.
Sour relations
Says an onlooker, "Things have soured between Ashwini and Gajendra. The first whiff that things were not good came when Ashwini was no longer associated with any of his shows. Though they claim they are still married, things are not the same. There has been constant buzz about their marriage for a while now."
Gajendra's name has been synonymous with Zee for over a decade with shows like Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, but now he has moved on to Star One with Antakshari — The Great Challenge. His next show, Voice of India (similar to Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) will air on Star Plus from May 18. At the same time, Zee is also airing Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa with its in-house production team.
When we checked with Ashwini, she admitted that she has been away from the TV circuit. "I wanted to take a break. I'd had enough of doing music-based shows. After over a decade, I deserve time for myself. Plus, I had enrolled for an MBA in Marketing, which I have now completed. I am enjoying being at home. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to work on television again."
Testing times
Is she taking a break from Gajendra too? "Who has been telling you this?" says Ashwini.
"I don't want to say anything that will annoy him and add to his problems. Not working with him does not have anything to do with our marriage. I am still married to him. Gajendra is going through a difficult phase at the moment."
Interestingly, Ashwini had appeared in Antakshari as a participant in 1994. A year later, she joined the show as a production hand and worked her way up to assistant director. She turned director of both Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in November 2005.
Adds the onlooker, "At this point, Ashwini does not want to reveal anything. The change of channels has put Gajendra under considerable pressure, Ashwini does not want to make his life miserable by confirming their rocky marriage."
Gajendra Singh remained unavailable for comment

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