Saguna deserts her memsaab, Dr Simran

Aide-de-camp

Nikki may have put up a brave front and taken in her stride her broken relationships, the bomb blast tragedy, the death of her daughter Aastha (Yuvika Chaudhary) and even the loss of her eyesight. "But this is going to totally break Nikki," informs producer Ajai Sinha.

"Saguna decides to walk out on her. She is shattered as Saguna is not just a maid. Over the years, she has become Nikki's confidante, advisor and best friend. Nikki considers her a family member. In fact, earlier in the show, when Astitva's track unfolded in London, Saguna was with Nikki even overseas," adds Sinha.

Holding a mirror to real life, the serial will have Nikki helpless, longing for Saguna to come back. "She has been in the show with Nikki from day one. Nikki can't imagine life without her," says Khanvilkar.

"This character in Astitva is not just that of a typical maid. There is humour and emotion. Saguna plays a vital role in the drama," adds the actress.

Chose husband

So why is Saguna deserting Simran? "Saguna knows that Nikki needs her now more than ever, after the loss of her eyesight. But Saguna's husband, Shankar (Nagesh Bhosale), feels insulted after Nikki points fingers at him after the mess-ups in her hospital," informs Sinha.

"Shankar is shocked that Nikki could even think that he was the hand behind the incidents in the hospital. He feels humiliated that after all these years of service with Nikki, she could suspect him. Even though Saguna does not want to leave Nikki in the lurch, she has to, for the sake of her husband."

Nikki now has to balance her hospital work and home single-handedly. So does Nikki look for Saguna's replacement, or does the old faithful return?

Wait and watch ….

Did you know?

The character of Saguna was named by producer Ajai Sinha after his own maid. "She was with us at our former residence, in Santa Cruz," says Sinha. "When we began scripting Astitva, we thought it would be best to give her name to the character."