TOI: Neha Marda QUITS BV

Neha Marda will soon bid adieu to Colors'Balika Vadhu, the show that made her a household name as the strong-willed Gehna.

The actress is tying the knot with Patna-based businessman Ayushman Agarwal on February 10, 2012 followed by a month-long honeymoon in Australia. Marda wants to spend time with her new family, hence the decision. Confirms she, "I did not want to quit Balika. It is one of the top-rated shows and quitting is not a good decision but I have my priorities set, which is my husband and my new family. It's an arranged marriage after a courtship of nine months. I want to explore my relationship with Ayush. Coming back immediately to the grind of daily soap seemed impossible. Being a Marwari, I will have to participate in a lot of rituals post marriage.

I want to savour my marriage, travel and explore our relationship." When the actress broke the news to her production house, it took everybody by surprise. The unit of the show, though happy for her, tried their best to dissuade her from quitting. "Amongst my co-stars, only Smita Bansal is aware of this development, as she has been very close to me. I have been in discussion with the production house since September. They kept persuading me to continue and that they would manage somehow but I had to take the decision.

My mother-in-law too doesn't want me to quit the show." Marda says she will return soon but would prefer to take up seasonal reality shows or host shows. "I think I have established myself in the industry and people will not forget me if I am away for a couple of months. I would like to take up reality shows and host a few as that interests me a lot. Also, it would allow me to spend more time with Ayush. If we are able to balance it well and I get hold of an interesting daily soap, I will work it out. I am fortunate to have such supportive and cool in-laws." She will shoot till the first week of January before she takes her marital break...