Real life row between Nikki and Varun

Nikki Aneja and Varun Badola allegedly can barely see eye to eye. So much so that the lead players come face to face only when the director says 'action!' and go their respective ways without even exchanging pleasantries, revealed an insider, a Daily News Analysis, DNA report said.

Apparently Nikki once requested Varun to squeeze in extra shooting hours to complete a schedule as she had to go abroad. Varun, a ladies man, willingly obliged. In the next schedule when Varun was in a tight spot (his shooting for 'Astitva...' clashing with another television shoot), he requested Nikki to accommodate her dates to suit his. Reportedly, Niki refused leaving Varun in a quandary.

The DNA story reported as Nikki vehemently denied that she had been non-cooperative. She explained, "I am entirely committed to 'Astitva' as I play the central character. I will not essay any other lead character as long as this soap continues. And when I visit my family in England, once a year in October, I give a four month notice. I do stage shows only during the eight day monthly break. So there is no question of me not being able to adjust with Varun. Rather it is Varun who is doing other shows and is not around all the time."

She adds, "The rumour is perpetrated by someone out to malign me." There is a slight tinge of rancour in her voice, when she indirectly points the needle of suspicion at the person about whom the rumour is.

Varun, however, dismissed the issue in a light vein, "We may not be on talking terms, but Nikki surely teaches me a step or two for 'Nach Baliye' dance recitals. And if I am doing more than one serial at a time (the primary reason for the supposed rift), I compensate by shooting till late night for 'Astitva.'"

Here we are reminded of Nikki's rejoinder that Varun, in fact, leaves the 'Astitva' shoot at 8 pm for the rehearsals of 'Nach Baliye'! So much as they deny, the truth remains that the duo are facing a rough ride much akin to their screen take.