Anuj’s act struck off from Telly Awards s

Channel interference

It is learnt that the team involved in coordinating with the actors who would perform at the ceremony, informed Saxena on Thursday that Sony (who will telecast the function on December 3), had asked for "certain changes" — meaning, his performance was struck off. Apparently, Sony did not want Saxena to perform at The Indian Telly Awards, as he is now doing a Star Plus show, Kumkum, produced by BAG Films.

Says Saxena, "I was taken by surprise when I was suddenly informed that Sony had made changes and my act was cancelled. I hardly attend award functions, and have never performed on stage in India. I think highly of The Indian Telly Awards as far as television awards are concerned, and was looking forward to the event."

Incidentally, Saxena made a comeback in Kumkum as Karan Kapoor in Thursday's episode. He formerly played the character of Jatin Waddhwa — Kumkum's (Juhi Parmar) first husband — when the show began. The doctor-turned-actor had been attending rehearsals for the Indian Telly awards at Ganesh Acharya's Andheri dance centre.

Only broadcasters

When asked if the channel had interfered, Tarun Katial, executive vice-president, Sony says, "Not at all. We are only telecasting the event. The Indian Telly Awards team is putting up the show as well as the performances. The channel does not interfere in the event or in which TV actor from which channel is performing. In fact, we would have loved to have Anuj perform at the event."

Bad dancer?

However, organiser Anil Wanvari, CEO, indiantelevision.com, had a different take.

"Anuj was dancing with two good dancers — Karisma Tanna and Manasi Varma. Our creative team thought he could not keep pace with them. It's just that when he danced, the difference showed — what the other two could pick up in 10 minutes, he could not. So the creative team though otherwise," says Wanvari.

So why was Saxena not told this? Why was he given the channel-interference angle by the coordinators? Says Saxena, "I neither have the time nor inclination to be party to the politics in the television industry. I am very busy with my shoot for Kumkum, the activities of my production house, Maverick, as well as my family business, Elder Pharma."

Earlier, Saxena had performed abroad, at the Bollywood Awards night in December 2003, in Atlanta, USA, where he paid tribute to the Kapoors (Shammi, Raj and Rishi) by dancing to their chartbusters. "I believe whatever happens happens for the best," says Saxena philosophically, about the entire episode.

shaheen@mid-day.com