| Six months ago, when the character of Suyash Mehra (Mohnish Behl) was brought into Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, the audience was charmed by the arrogant, ruthless, brooding businessman who crossed swords with Parvati Agarwal (Sakshi Tanwar).
In fact, when Parvati's dead husband Om was supposed to come back from the dead, the popular demand was that he should stay dead and let Suyash romance Parvati.
Now, after almost two weeks of negotiations and a huge showdown with the creative director for the show, Sandiip Sikcand, Mohnish has decided to walk out of Kahaani.
He's out: Ekta
Ekta Kapoor admits Behl might not be playing the role any more. "Mohnish suddenly didn't want to go ahead with the track. It was his own call. We tried our best to talk him out of the decision, but he didn't want to. Now we are going ahead with another actor."
Says a Balaji source, "Anoop Soni has been finalised to play the role of Suyash Mehra and is waiting on standby." Are they changing the track? "No we are going ahead with what we had originally planned."
Won't marry Parvati
What was the problem with Mohnish? Says the source, "Mohnish suddenly felt that the show has become very Parvati-centric, and that he was not central any more. He's not okay with the track that might have him marrying Parvati. He doesn't want to marry her. He feels we told him at the last moment, but that's not true.
Also, Mohnish is very bitter about leaving Jai Walia's (Ram Kapoor) role in Kasamh Se, which is doing very well. He told us that his wife (Ekta) watched Kasamh Se and told him that he shouldn't have left it.
But it's difficult working with someone like Mohnish as it is. He won't be able to work in two serials; he gives us only 20 days in a month, with no block dates; works only till 7 pm and build up his character in only 12 hours."
What happened after he made his displeasure clear? "He threw a big scene and was extremely rude to Sandeep and the entire unit. He shouted at all of them and this upset Ekta. Sakshi is very cooperative as far as dates are concerned and she's been the principal protagonist for the last five years. Mohnish's last day of shooting is March 20."
However the source adds, "The final decision on whether Mohnish will play Suyash Mehra or not will have been decided last night, when people from Star Plus met Ekta. They want to talk to him one final time."
Sikcand remains non-committal. "Let's wait and see what happens. I don't want to comment on it. These problems crop up very often and Balaji is very well versed in tackling and rising above the situation.
But one thing is for sure, Balaji won't change the track or the story. The show is all-important and above everything. It won't suffer. Kahaani is doing very well and we won't let anything affect the show," he says.
Is Kahaani Parvati-centric? Says Sandeep, "It is Parvati Agarwal's story and will remain that. The whole idea of Suyash Mehra is no less important. It's the first time that we are playing two characters on an equal height. There is lots more that is going to happen in Suyash Mehra's life."
Is Anoop Soni finalised to take Mohnish's place? "No comment," adds Sandiip.
However, Mohnish Behl was unavailable for comment. |
