(8 December 2004 2:00 pm)
	"I have been approached by Star for something very big"

VINOD AAYUSHMAN SINGH is in Pune. He says he is chilling out. Clearly, the 27 year old is trying to live down memories of the past 10 days, during which he had a fracas with a unit member on the Aayushman sets and was subsequently removed from the serial. Vickey Lalwani caught up with the guy to find out what Vinod plans to do next.

Do you think it's going to be difficult to get offers after the incident last week?
I don't think so. I am flooded with offers. Several production houses want me in their shows. But I want to be a little away from all the stress till the end of this month.

But Cinevistaas says that you weren't stretched beyond limit, that you often took time off, and that you seldom shot beyond 9 pm...
(Interrupts) Rubbish. I have everything in writing. The payments I received will tell you the whole story. I had to shoot far beyond what I was supposed to. I had to adjust my time with Manav Gohil because he was available from 7 to 9 pm, since he was tied up with another show as well (CID). I had to adjust to Nivedita Bhattacharya's availability as well, since she too was locked up in another show (K.Street, Pali Hill). It was too much.......

Go on...
We had some issues over which we had been quibbling for a long time. The painter incident became an excuse for terminating my contract. I wouldn't like to get into the nitty-gritty, though.

Tell me, have you been in touch with Neha Mehta, the girl with whom the painter...
(Interrupts) Yeah. But just once. I had called her and she sounded very uspet. People are putting two and two together. They think I reacted strongly because Neha and I are very close. Pleaseeee! We have worked together for just one month. How illogical and cruel can people be!

Has the television industry called to support you?
I have been flooded with calls. Not a single person from the television industry who called thinks I did anything wrong.

At times, Salman Khan too has got into problems while shooting. But no producer has dismissed him from his film?
I am Vinod Singh, not Salman Khan (laughs).

Do you think Sony Entertainment Television would work with you again?
I had issues with Cinevistaas, not with Sony. I don't think Sony would hold it against me.

Sony and Star are hardcore rivals. Did you get some exciting offers especially from Star?
You said it! I have been approached by Star for something very big. It should go beyond the paperwork stages by mid-January 2005. I have been told not to talk more than that. Sshhh!