Rajeev not to quit 'KTH'

BY VICKEY LALWANI
(19 December 2004 2:00 pm)

The heart throb is staying on in Kahiin To Hoga. Fans should be delighted.

Remember we told you that miracles do happen on Indian television and Rajeev Khandelwal's in-out story may end with one? Well, it's just happened that way. Giving in to fans' requests, pleas and demands India's hottest television hunk has decided to stay put as Sujal in the multiple award winning late night Star Plus success Kahiin To Hoga. In a hush-hush patch-up in the late hours of Friday, Balaji and Rajeev Khandelwal resolved their differences.

Whether the script has been altered to suit his image and convenience or he has agreed to toe the line of his tough task-master, we still do not know.

When contacted, Ekta Kapoor's trusted lieutenant Nivedita Basu said, "Rajeev has changed his mind. We had never asked him to go. It was he who wanted to leave. It was he who said he wants to come back."

Kapoor confirmed, "Last night (Friday), he sent me an SMS saying that he wished to continue. I messaged him back that it was his show and he was welcome."

After Rajeev had declared to the media that it was all over, Balaji Telefilms had soon got into the act of finding a replacement. At one point of time, Kapoor told us, "I am doing all-India auditions to get my new Sujal. He will be on air from 1 January, 2005."

Last heard, India's biggest production house was looking at Pawan Shankar to step into Rajeev's shoes. Shankar plays the title character of Siddhanth (Star One). He also features in ads like Reid & Taylor with Amitabh Bachchan, Fiat Petra and TVS Centra. Apparently, Rajeev pressed the 'Hold on, I am coming back' button just in time.

An insider from Balaji Telefilms was of the opinion, "If Rajeev ditches Balaji on KTH, Star will never work with him again." One wonders if it is precisely that which brought Rajeev back into the Balaji fold.

Seems, Rajeev is off-press, at least for now. Repeated calls on his mobile failed to evoke a response.

We hope that the patch-up is for keeps.

(Pix icourtesy Zarmeena, MSN Rajeev Khandelwal Fan group)