Posted:
The Karan Singh Grover no-holds-barred
interview;
actor opens up on Qubool Hai controversy Fasten
your seatbelts, for this is one helluva roller coaster
article!!! The industry rose to a rude shock when
the news of Karan Singh Grover being sacked by
Zee TV from the show Qubool Hai (4 Lions Films)
hit the headlines. The channel head Ajay
Balwankar
spoke and spoke in volumes against the popular
actor to the media, who according to him has
been
unprofessional and also mentioned about a
probable legal action against KSG (as Karan is
lovingly called by legion of his fans). Earlier in the
day, we also wrote about Raqesh Vashisth coming
in as the replacement of KSG. But amidst all this,
everyone wanted KSG to open up on the alleged
controversy. After all, his reputation was at stake.
Everyone wondered, why was he keeping mum?
Was he trying to maintain a dignified silence, or
was waiting for the storm to settle down before
rising from the dust? When we buzzed him, all he
said that he would soon issue an official press
statement. We waited and waited and refreshed
our
email inbox, but nada, it only showed silence from
KSG's side. But we were awakened by a sms late
in the night asking, Can we talk now?' The
message was sent by Karan, anxious and insistent
on sharing is heart out. We knew it would be a
long conversation. So quickly grabbing a cup of
hot
coffee, and settling in comfily with a pen and
paper
in hand (yes, we like the traditional way), we rang
up "the" Karan Singh Grover. Hello Karan, hope
you
are good. So what's all been written about you? "I
am good thank you. Yes, I have read what has
been written about me and I have been waiting to
talk. I delayed not because I was scared, but I
wanted to see how low the channel would stoop
to
defame me. Whatever has been spoken against me
today by Zee authorities have left a very bad taste
in the mouth, and I will not let go easily, "said
Karan in a heavy tone. He continued and we let
him
speak, "It has been said that I came on the sets
drunk, which is an utter lie. It is extremely sad
that
way they have spoken about me. The truth is that
my contract got over 3 months back. Right at the
beginning I made it very clear that I would stay
with the show for a year and then move on. I
stayed on because Vikrant (Massey) left the show
at the time when my contract expired, and being
close to Gul (Producer Gul Khan), I did not want
the show to get affected. Hence, I did not renew
the contract but continued to shot for Qubool
Hai."
So why did he want to quit? "See, I have been
keeping very unwell. Right now I am in Delhi and I
am not holidaying here. I am suffering from some
ailment which I don't want to talk about but yes,
multiple physical tests are being done on me. I am
in Delhi for health reasons. I had a meeting with
the channel on 19th of this month wherein I told
them about my problem and they understood it.
But
on that day they asked me to stay on for a month
and then leave. I was worried that people love the
character of Asad and they would miss it dearly.
So I sat with the juniors of Ajay Balwankar and
pondered upon how to show my exit. I told them
instead of replacement, for many fans connect me
with Asad, kill my character and get a new lead.
All
was good but then bam...comes today's version
from Ajay." Are you hurt? "Absolutely. You know
what, I told Balwankar's juniors that I plan to
produce my own show. They told me to do it with
Zee and not go to any other channel. They told
me
to sign an exclusive contract with Zee and I
agreed
to everything. I said whenever things materialise, I
would love to work with them again. Then where
is
all the negativity coming from suddenly? This
shows how less informed Balwankar is when it
comes to the meetings I have had with his juniors
pertaining to Qubool Hai. The statement was
absolutely uncalled for as I gave them dates to
end
my track. Instead of talking to the press,
Balwankar could have just called me up and
cleared
his doubts. He could have been open minded. He
has no right to talk garbage about me to people.
They told me to postpone my medical check-ups.
I
beseeched them to allow me to take a break and
in
return I promised them to give another 3-4
months
of time to the show. I said it was physically not
possible for me to continue shooting. And this is
how they reacted to it. Called me an
unprofessional." After a small pause, KSG went on,
"I think I became the victim of a channel's ego.
They think how can an actor dare to leave us.
They
would like it the other way. They would say we
threw him out. I am completely disappointed and
shocked at this point of time. I just want to state
that Balwankar has been in the industry for a far
more time than me. It's not that we were
unaware
of each other's existence. He could have taken
into
consideration our one year of relationship and
acted
accordingly. Now it's more like one more show,
one
more channel, one more person. Very sad. Know
what, you guys wrote about Raqesh (Vashisth)
replacing me, I am the one who convinced him to
be a part of the project, as Asad is a very loved
character. He is a very dear friend to me. You do
so much and what you get in return...humiliation."
What about the legal case that the channel
intends
to file on him? "Oh, they have no base for that.
My
contract got over with the channel. The only
person who can file a Gaurav Kulkarni
The Karan Singh Grover no-holds-barred
interview;
actor opens up on Qubool Hai controversy Fasten
your seatbelts, for this is one helluva roller coaster
article!!! The industry rose to a rude shock when
the news of Karan Singh Grover being sacked by
Zee TV from the show Qubool Hai (4 Lions Films)
hit the headlines. The channel head Ajay
Balwankar
spoke and spoke in volumes against the popular
actor to the media, who according to him has
been
unprofessional and also mentioned about a
probable legal action against KSG (as Karan is
lovingly called by legion of his fans). Earlier in the
day, we also wrote about Raqesh Vashisth coming
in as the replacement of KSG. But amidst all this,
everyone wanted KSG to open up on the alleged
controversy. After all, his reputation was at stake.
Everyone wondered, why was he keeping mum?
Was he trying to maintain a dignified silence, or
was waiting for the storm to settle down before
rising from the dust? When we buzzed him, all he
said that he would soon issue an official press
statement. We waited and waited and refreshed
our
email inbox, but nada, it only showed silence from
KSG's side. But we were awakened by a sms late
in the night asking, Can we talk now?' The
message was sent by Karan, anxious and insistent
on sharing is heart out. We knew it would be a
long conversation. So quickly grabbing a cup of
hot
coffee, and settling in comfily with a pen and
paper
in hand (yes, we like the traditional way), we rang
up "the" Karan Singh Grover. Hello Karan, hope
you
are good. So what's all been written about you? "I
am good thank you. Yes, I have read what has
been written about me and I have been waiting to
talk. I delayed not because I was scared, but I
wanted to see how low the channel would stoop
to
defame me. Whatever has been spoken against me
today by Zee authorities have left a very bad taste
in the mouth, and I will not let go easily, "said
Karan in a heavy tone. He continued and we let
him
speak, "It has been said that I came on the sets
drunk, which is an utter lie. It is extremely sad
that
way they have spoken about me. The truth is that
my contract got over 3 months back. Right at the
beginning I made it very clear that I would stay
with the show for a year and then move on. I
stayed on because Vikrant (Massey) left the show
at the time when my contract expired, and being
close to Gul (Producer Gul Khan), I did not want
the show to get affected. Hence, I did not renew
the contract but continued to shot for Qubool
Hai."
So why did he want to quit? "See, I have been
keeping very unwell. Right now I am in Delhi and I
am not holidaying here. I am suffering from some
ailment which I don't want to talk about but yes,
multiple physical tests are being done on me. I am
in Delhi for health reasons. I had a meeting with
the channel on 19th of this month wherein I told
them about my problem and they understood it.
But
on that day they asked me to stay on for a month
and then leave. I was worried that people love the
character of Asad and they would miss it dearly.
So I sat with the juniors of Ajay Balwankar and
pondered upon how to show my exit. I told them
instead of replacement, for many fans connect me
with Asad, kill my character and get a new lead.
All
was good but then bam...comes today's version
from Ajay." Are you hurt? "Absolutely. You know
what, I told Balwankar's juniors that I plan to
produce my own show. They told me to do it with
Zee and not go to any other channel. They told
me
to sign an exclusive contract with Zee and I
agreed
to everything. I said whenever things materialise, I
would love to work with them again. Then where
is
all the negativity coming from suddenly? This
shows how less informed Balwankar is when it
comes to the meetings I have had with his juniors
pertaining to Qubool Hai. The statement was
absolutely uncalled for as I gave them dates to
end
my track. Instead of talking to the press,
Balwankar could have just called me up and
cleared
his doubts. He could have been open minded. He
has no right to talk garbage about me to people.
They told me to postpone my medical check-ups.
I
beseeched them to allow me to take a break and
in
return I promised them to give another 3-4
months
of time to the show. I said it was physically not
possible for me to continue shooting. And this is
how they reacted to it. Called me an
unprofessional." After a small pause, KSG went on,
"I think I became the victim of a channel's ego.
They think how can an actor dare to leave us.
They
would like it the other way. They would say we
threw him out. I am completely disappointed and
shocked at this point of time. I just want to state
that Balwankar has been in the industry for a far
more time than me. It's not that we were
unaware
of each other's existence. He could have taken
into
consideration our one year of relationship and
acted
accordingly. Now it's more like one more show,
one
more channel, one more person. Very sad. Know
what, you guys wrote about Raqesh (Vashisth)
replacing me, I am the one who convinced him to
be a part of the project, as Asad is a very loved
character. He is a very dear friend to me. You do
so much and what you get in return...humiliation."
What about the legal case that the channel
intends
to file on him? "Oh, they have no base for that.
My
contract got over with the channel. The only
person who can file a legal case is me against Zee
for defamation, which I am considering seriously."
This will get dirty, it seems!!! Before signing off he
said, "I have no issue with Gul at all. She is a
lovely person. I just wanted to share the truth with
my fans who love me a lot and have supported me
throughout. I felt they should know my side of the
story. I have nothing else to say. Thank you
everyone and I will be soon back doing what I do
the best." case is me against Zee
for defamation, which I am considering seriously."
This will get dirty, it seems!!! Before signing off he
said, "I have no issue with Gul at all. She is a
lovely person. I just wanted to share the truth with
my fans who love me a lot and have supported me
throughout. I felt they should know my side of the
story. I have nothing else to say. Thank you
everyone and I will be soon back doing what I do
the best."
he is NOT UNPROFFESIONAL
5