Kumkum refuses to age

Kumkum refuses to age

Production house considered replacing Juhi Parmar for spurning the whitener

Sapana Patil

Any small development, like the introduction of a new character (or the ageing of an old one) in a serial, often doesn't go down well with the actors. Take Kumkum for example – this afternoon daily is all set to take a twenty-year leap and its protagonist, Juhi Parmar, aka Kumkum, was not thrilled with the idea….mainly because it would cause her character to age by 20 years.

A source says, "Juhi was so skeptical about playing the role that the production house (BAG films) had a tough time in getting her to agree. At one point, the producers even considered replacing her with an older actress, despite the fact that Juhi has been playing the central character for three years. Perhaps it was the ultimatum of dismissal that led her to accept the role. It's also because Kumkum is the only serial she is doing at the moment."

Parmar says, "At the moment, I can only say that I was never in two minds about doing the serial. I can't say anything more because a big meeting with the producers is on the cards. However, it is certain that I will play the role and I can assure you that I will not sport grey hair."

In response to speculations that Parmar is acting in Kumkum out of a lack of options, the actress states, "All those who think that I am doing Kumkum because I don't have other offers are wrong. I am only working on Kumkum as a matter of choice. I like to do one serial at a time. I have always maintained this even during my Choodiyaan and Shaheen days. I don't like to be seen in every serial."

Another contention is that although Anuj Saxena's character is slated to end on April 1, his exit is still being worked out. The channel is apparently taking time to decide the development of the tracks.