This post is to bring an end to all the conspiracies surrounding Barun Sobti's dramatic exit from the show. Firstly I will state the facts. Look at the time line and decide for yourself.
I have loved Barun and Sanaya for more than a year just as you have. That's why it hurts when I am being lied to.
This post can be read by anyone who can keep an open mind and accept the facts as facts. You don't need to pick team of Barun, Sanaya or Sarun to actually reflect on what happened. A little vision and a little wisdom is all that is required. The text in blue is an observation by a forum member, that is me.
Timeline and Excerpts
27th September, 2012 : 'I am not leaving the show'- Barun Sobti
Though a source from the set confirmed Barun's departure from the show, "Yes, Barun is quitting. How it impacts the show and the future is undecided."
However when Tellybuzz contacted Barun Sobti today at around 4:30PM who said, "There is nothing like this, I am not leaving the show."
28th September, 2012 : Message From Gul Khan
"Barun has given us a 2 months notice... But he might stay back a little longer"
29th September, 2012 : Please beware! - UPDATED
Barun's status will be posted on the 4 Lion's page next week.
Two months later...
8th November, 2012 : Barun Sobti to take a break from Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
It was speculated that Viraf Phiroz Patel would be taking his place in the show.
"I am not leaving the show, but I am taking a well deserved break. I don't know the length of the break, but it won't be a small one. I just need a break".
We asked him whether 23rd November would be the last date of shoot, " Nothing has been finalized, things are still being worked out".
His Quotes, My Views
14th November, 2012 : https://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w853lwkUikc
If I give a bad impression to someone I feel very bad (Barun you didn't really leave a good impression on us by repeatedly denying that you were not leaving, when you actually were)
Everyone on the show has been so sweet (This was said by other cast members as well. It gladdens me that whatever happened off-screen they are still being thorough professionals)
People have been very supportive (We can see that. Your fans supported you by tuning to their TVs everyday at 8.00 p.m. even though you were not there to support the show in your absence during the kidnapping track. Your PH supported you by giving you the leaves required)
I was going to leave in Feb because you know everyone was making a fortune ... even I was making a fortune. I thought that and carried on. (Money matters! Who cares about the show that made him who he is!?)
I have always done what my heart tells me to do (His heart wants him to pursue movies. Fine by him. Fine by me. But why not be honest about it from the start? Why give false hope to fans?)
Every hardworking person in the industry in television who has the ability to do well and is hardworking deserves that Gul should happen to him at least once (THIS. I like. And accept it or not he is what he is today because of the character made by her. He himself said he didn't do anything beyond the writing)
There has been not one fight. (Take his words for once. Another cast member confirmed it as well. All the fights were in our heads because we wanted to absolve him of all blame)
The day we become an actor we give everyone the right to talk about us. You can't choose what you hear. If you accept the good with all the heart you should accept the criticism too. (LEARN from him!)
24th November, 2012 : Barun Sobti chooses films over TV
"I loved playing ASR and I am very thankful to Star Plus for giving me this opportunity. I also wish to thank my fans who have appreciated my character and showered me with unconditional love. However everyone wants to explore new avenues and I plan to work on a few movie projects now. In future I might comeback to TV someday. I would like to request my fans to continue loving me the same way,"
Nachiket Pantvaidya, General Manager, Star Plus, said, "ASR is hugely popular with our viewers however Barun has decided that he wants to pursue films.
MY VIEWS:
Regarding SP running the ticker against him, I admit it is unprofessional. They should have instead held a press conference. But they opted for this method. And if we think what SP did was wrong, then let me tell you that they don't need us to tell them that. They have a team of well-experienced lawyers for that and they are paid to tell SP when not to go the dishonest character defamation way. So that disclaimer must have been 100% percent true and legally correct.
If you feel SP was wrong to announce this right after the SPL (once they got the success they wanted from SaRun), then so was Barun who announced to his fans (and no one less) that he will be doing films the very next day of his last day of shooting (Check the 24th Nov link again)
Now let us just assume the new of Barun already getting a movie is true then just a week or two long vacation was enough to revive him from his tiredness? The fans and PH would have happily excused him for 2 weeks if he wished to be back to the show after that.
September was the re-marriage track month and the month in which the news of him leaving leaked. If he had been clear about his intentions to leave IPK for movies had been clear then as they were on the 24th of November, 2012 we would have seen a proper closure of this show. The PH soon said the show had run its course, other actors were leaving, Barun wanted to leave too. An end everyone would have liked. I don't know what the reason was for not coming clean from start. But above is evidence enough to prove that he had decided to quit the show by November. But he didn't admit and what did we get? November...
November was the Sheetal and Mrs. India track month and the last month for this show as well.
In my sister's (Rasgulla_sp) words : If he had come clear two months back, had announced that he wants to do movies, all these conspiracy theories, useless petitions, Gul-Barun interview, Barun's and Sanaya's individual radio interviews, all the e-mails and calls fans made to retain Barun, all the PH and SP bashing for mistreating Barun, this entire circus wouldn't have happened.
But no. No such thing happened. What happened was a show which could have got a far better ending, ended abruptly.
If it has not been clear from my post, let me put it in words. I have no issues with him going for movies. I would have done the same, may be. But I would have been clear from day 1! That I wanted from him. Just THAT! If he had been honest, it would have saved us from the headache.
Keep a hand over your heart and ask yourself "Is this how the show deserved to have ended?"
So the bottom line is : There was never a conspiracy!
Cricket
Anupamaa
