Telly actor Anuj Saxena (Karan of Kumkum and Abhay of Kkusum) is finally single again. It is reliably learnt that his divorce has been granted and all matters related to it have been settled. Anuj had filed for divorce in June 2005 after a little over a year of marriage to Ishmit Dhadial. When asked about the legal proceedings, the actor, however, preferred to maintain a stoic, "No comments."
Anuj, who was in Bangkok recently for a short holiday with his parents, received the news about his divorce judgement on arrival in Mumbai. "He looks relieved and at the moment just wants to be immersed in work. Besides his acting commitments, there is his family business (Elder Pharma) and the activities of his production house Manverick," say sources.
As reported in hitList earlier 'Anuj Saxena files for divorce' (June 23, 2005) the turmoil in the doctor-tuned actor's life had come as a huge surprise to the television world.
| Anuj Saxena with Ishmit Dhadial | After filing the divorce case, he was also allegedly threatened by Ishmit and her family to withdraw the case. This resulted in Anuj hiring a personal bodyguard. All that Anuj was willing to say at that time was, "It's true that I have hired a personal security guard and have also filed for divorce."
Though the exact reason why the marriage soured is not known, it is learnt that there were irrevocable differences and attempts to save the marriage by Anuj proved futile. "Things just did not work out, though everything appeared to be very normal. What suddenly triggered off resulting in a divorce came as a huge shock to all," add sources.
Anuj had agreed to an arranged marriage with Ishmit after both the families met and approved of the alliance.
He was engaged in September 2003 and married in February 2004. The wedding functions were a five-day affair with events at the J W Marriott, Juhu, and Radio Club, Colaba, and was one of the most talked about telly weddings which was attended by several actors.
The cracks in the marriage became visible when Anuj held a bash to launch his production house Maverick at a suburban nightspot and Ishmit was conspicuous by her absence.
Though his entire family was there in support of his new endeavour, Ishmit's absence had people wondering — was there some trouble on the home front? Moreover, in recent months, Anuj had not been spotted in the company of his wife in public.
Ironically, Anuj's off-screen marriage didn't work, but on-screen in the Sony drama Kkusum, he tied the knot five times.
At different points in this Balaji show, he was married to Nausheen Alii Sardar (the original Kkusum), Narayani Shastri (Taashu), Poonam Narula (Mahi) and Manasi Joshi Roy (the second Kkusum) and later had Shilpa Saklani. (the third Kkusum) play his wife.
So is Anuj ready to mingle again? That only time will tell. shaheen@mid-day.com |