Raj Logani replaces Rahil as Ashmit

For those expecting actor Rahil Azam to return from the US, here's a big surprise. Ashmit, of Sony's Ye Meri Life Hai, has changed — Raj Logani has replaced Rahil in Ashmit's role. The reason? Rahil developed a serious skin allergy.

Explains Optmystix producer, Vipul D Shah, "We had no option but to replace Rahil. About a month back, he developed a skin allergy. Initially, it did not reflect on camera. But after few days, it started showing. The allergy precipitated into painful boils."

It was Rahil's idea

By this time, Rahil (who also played the title role in Hatim) himself suggested to Shah that he be replaced. "I didn't want to do that," says Shah. "Rahil was doing his role very well, so I decided to give him a break. We changed the track and showed that he had to go out of the country, thus accounting for his absence."

No results

Meanwhile, Rahil is undergoing treatment. "I could not concentrate on the treatment. In a hurry to get well soon, I rushed to two or three doctors. The medicines kept changing, but the results did not show," he says.

The actor, who has stopped shooting for Ye Meri Life Hai since the past eight days, has been advised not to apply make-up or face the lights for three weeks. "The infection will settle only then," he offers.

No bad blood

Rahil is all praise for the producers. "Vipul tried his best to ensure that I did not have to make way for a change. They took a lot of long and wide-angle shots, but for how long? The show was suffering, and before they would tell me, I took the logical decision."

"We parted amicably," he says. "I fully understand that it is for the betterment of the show. I simply cannot continue — I don't know how long it will take before I am completely well again."

Replacement not a problem

Raj, who will pick up from where Rahil left off, says, "I will put my best foot forward." The actor had been screen-tested two years back for Ajay Arya's role in the same show, but things didn't work out then.

Says Shah, "We will run him as close as possible to Rahil. I am sure Raj will do a great job. Replacements do not always cause a problem.

Remember Ronit Roy stepping into Mihir Virani's shoes and making people almost forget Amarr Upadhyay?"