| If residents of Malad to Borivli are to be believed, their favourite soap Kahiin to Hoga isn't going to be the same again.
Ever since Rajeev Khandelwal aka Sujal stepped out of the popular Balaji Telefilms show, viewers across the suburb insist that they've lost all interest in the show that they earlier followed like a religion and aren't going to watch it anymore.
If this isn't proof enough of the Goregaon actor's popularity, the fact that metro received an overwhelming number of fan mails (some from married women) when we profiled this actor, sure is evidence.
In a random discussion on the reasons for this mass hysteria, we discovered that it isn't only Rajeev's chiseled good looks but also the character of the brooding lover he portrays that people find attractive.
"Add to this is the fantastic chemistry between Aamna 'Kashish' Sharif and Rajeev and you've got magic," says a resident.
So what is it that women (and some men) find so fascinating in this one-serial-old actor? And will they now give up Kahiin To Hoga now that Rajeev's not on the show anymore? metro finds out. Residents also write to Ekta Kapoor asking her to bring their favourite Sujal back.
Dear Ekta, we want Rajeev back on the show: residents Meghna Shah
Resident of Umeda Ashram Road, Borivli (W) "Sujal is my idol. He and Kashish make a lovely pair. I cannot see anyone replacing Rajeev. No one except him can play the character of Sujal with the same intensity and charm. I'm absolutely sure that Kahiin To Hoga will lose its popularity and I will certainly not watch it as religiously." Dear Ekta,
We don't want Gupreet as Sujal. We only want to see Rajeev Khandelwal with Kashish. If Rajeev leaves the show, I will definitely stop watching Kahiin To Hoga. Shilpi Thakur
Resident of Shimpoli, Borivli (W) "Nobody can replace Rajeev. The way he portrayed Sujal's character is marvelous and his performance was brilliant. I just wish that he starts acting in other serials soon. According to me, Kahiin to Hoga is useless without Rajeev and it's never going to be as popular."
Dear Ekta,
Your show will suffer after Rajeev leaves. We love this serial because of Sujal and Kashish's romance. Rajeev was right when he said the story was going off-track. If you care for your audience, don't separate Rajeev from Kashish.
Reena Malavia
Resident of Shastri Nagar, Borivli (W) "Kahiin To Hoga is all about Rajeev. He portrays the pain and suffering of Sujal very well. If writers create characters then actors are the ones who add life to them. And that is what Rajeev has done. If he leaves the show, it's never going to be the same and as a fan I'd not be as interested in Kashish and Sujal's story."
Dear Ekta,
Why are you ruining Kahiin To Hoga? I understand that you are upset because he asked you to change the story. You gave Rajeev his big break. Please give him one more chance. This is a plea from the bottom of a fan's heart.
Sapna Shah
Resident of Rani Sati Marg, Malad (E) "The news of Rajeev Khandelwal leaving the show bought tears to my eyes. I am very attached to him because of the character he portrays. My family members and I have vowed never to watch Kahiin To Hoga again. I never missed a single episode earlier but now I don't care what happens to the show." Dear Ekta,
I love Kahiin To Hoga and I especially adore Rajeev. We don't want him to leave the serial. Sujal is Sujal because of him. I request you to keep him. We know that you replacing Rajeev with some new guy but we don't want that.
Amit Sodha
Resident of Shankar Lane, Kandivli (W) "Rajeev is a very cute-looking man and though I find him stoney-faced at times, I am a big fan because he put soul into Sujal's character. He is a man of substance and lives life on his terms. I loved the love scene between Sujal and Kashish but I believe his replacement will be a disadvantage for Kahiin to Hoga."
Dear Ekta,
You made a wise choice selecting Rajeev for Sujal's role. But I'm sure Kahiin To Hoga won't last long because Rajeev is leaving. Please change your decision.
Why Rajeev left and what will happen now? | | | Gurpreet Singh is the new Sujal | Due to differences between Rajeev Khandelwal and Ekta Kapoor, the actor has been replaced by newcomer Gurpreet Singh.
Shivangi Singh Chauhan, creative head of Kahiin To Hoga, says in Hitlist, "Gurpreet was picked from a general audition. We discovered him when we were looking for someone to play Angad in Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai on Sony."
Gurpreet will start playing Sujal from May 25. To prepare for the role, the actor was asked to get a nose job so that his otherwise aquiline nose looked softer and went with Sujal's mellow character.
The May 23 episode saw Rajeev being attacked by some people. While fighting them, Sujal falls off a bridge and is presumed dead since Kashish is shown crying hysterically.
Since we already know that another actor will enter as Sujal, our guess is that in true Balaji style, Sujal's face will need plastic surgery, which is how he'll come back with a new face. Rajeev Khandelwal: I'm touched by people's response "I am really glad that people have liked my character in Kahiin to Hoga.
However, in showbiz people move on even though the character stays steady. So whether I play it or someone else portrays the character, Sujal will always be loved.
"I don't know why people love Sujal so much. He is like many other people on TV. I guess I have been lucky that I received so much love.
"I am touched by the overwhelming response of viewers, especially those who say they'll stop watching the show once I exit. But I request them to give Gurpreet a chance."
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