No love lost between Shivshakti-Anuj

Either the lead pair gets along like a house on fire or they hate each other so much that they are willing to kill each other. Most of the times almost all our actors fall into these two distinct categories. And instances of actors on the small screen who have worked together falling in love and cementing their relationship are common.

But there is one on-screen couple who romances each other on- screen but abhors each other in real life. This is the saga of 16 year old Shivshakti and 27 year old Anuj Sachdeva who play Bebo and Amrit in Sabki Laadli Bebo on Star Plus. Sources from the show confirm that all is not well with the couple and the minor Shivshakti's parents have taken strong objection to Anuj's behaviour with their daughter. In fact now the couple is not on talking terms with each other.

TellyChakkar dug deep to find out what was the cause of the discord.

Says a source from the show, "Anuj has been trying to woo Shivshakti and is keen on forging a relationship with her. When her parents came to know what was transpiring, they decided to take stern action against the actor. They reprimanded him infront of everyone and since then the girl and her parents have stopped talking to him completely. But the public show down hasn't brought any change in Anuj who continues to harass the actress and her parents. Infact, last week itself they were shooting for a scene where he was required to hold her hand but the actor grabbed it so hard that Shivshakti was hurt and she immediately brought the shooting to a halt. Defending himself Anuj said that he did so as the scene demanded that. Only when Anuj apologised profusely did Shivshakti resume her shoot. We have been telling him to behave himself but the guy doesn't pay any heed."

A source close to Shivshakti's family adds, "He's been trying to cajole Shivshakti into a relationship with him. However the real motive behind this is that he wants to garner publicity by resorting to cheap antics. One also sees it as a game plan to participate in Nach Baliye with the girl. Infact, Anuj openly brags about the fact that he has links with top officials of the channel and thus no one can sack him. He has been told time and again to maintain distance with Shivshakti but the guy does not listen. He was once spotted throwing a flying kiss at Shivshakti by her father, to which he took strong offence. When confronted by her father, Anuj said that he blew the kiss to the hair-dresser who is apparently a 40 year old lady. Later somebody from the sets informed Anuj's father in Delhi, who called up the actress' father, to render his apologies on Anuj's behalf. But the heat did not die down. Shivshakti's parents then informed the production house Endemol of their inability to continue the show if this continued. Endemol India later warned the actor of severe repercussions if he didn't improve."

Our source continues, "Anuj also tried to instigate her against her own family saying that they were trying to dictate terms to her. He would tell all and sundry that her parents are making her work round the clock. He also did not like her parent's presence on the sets as he was uncomfortable doing romantic scenes."

Throwing light on the issue Shivshakti's father says, "The issue is not about him trying to get close to Shivshakti but he had started to misguide her by advising her not to report on time on the sets. When I came to know that my daughter was following his advice I advised her not to listen to Anuj. Shivshakti has worked in three to four shows and we have never given any grief to any of the production houses."

Her father clarifies on Anuj's claim that Shivshakti is made to work round the clock and says, "This is all rubbish. My daughter isn't working for money but by choice. If one fine morning she tells me she doesn't want to act anymore I will respect her."

We tried to speak to Shivshakti but were told by her father that she is unwell and thus sleeping.

We called the actor for his side of the story. "I am not trying to ignite love between the two of us as I am mature enough to know that she is a minor. One needs to share a comfortable relationship with your co-actor as it helps you enhance your scenes. I know people are trying to spread rumours about me being attracted to Shivshakti. Coming to the incident where I am accused of blowing a kiss to Bebo, the fact of the matter is that the kiss was meant for her hair-dresser. I knew her parents were watching me on CCTV. All I can say is that I just tried to be a friend to Bebo as she is too young and at a tender age of 16 we do feel the need to have a good friend. I tried to convey the same to her parents to which they objected thinking that I had some hidden agenda. They even accused me of distracting her so I decided to stop talking to her completely. What I can't fathom is that why they don't let Shivshakti speak on such matters to the media."

But what about his so-called connections with the channel that come to his aid?

"I had been through a regular procedure and I cleared the audition and look test like any other actor. I know people around me but not to the extent that they can land me a lead role," Sachdeva thundered.

All we can say is that when a show does not do well a lot of damage control measures are adopted in order to resurrect it. But will this happen when a relationship begins to sour?