No plans to replace Manish Goyal, says Star Plus

Manish Goyal aka Tilak of Bhabhi is terribly upset and hurt over the news carried by us, last evening. "This is not done," he says, "Someone is spreading false information about me."

Here's the rejoinder:

Manish clarifies that he was not dumped from Star Plus and UTV's Bhabhi. "I had myself opted out, simply because I had an altercation on the sets. As a consequence, my self-respect was at stake. Along the way, TRPs went down. And I was recalled."

According to a co-actor in Bhabhi, Rupali Ganguly, "Manish is a great fella. We all are like one family."

To the thing that he is not comfortable with the idea of playing the older character of a father to two grown-up children, Manish says, "I have not refused that as yet. It is premature days to talk about this. We have not yet spoken in detail. We are still negotiating."

Further Manish denies that people who matter are talking to actors who could get into his shoes. Says a Star Plus official endorsing Manish's statement, "We have no plans to replace Manish," adding, "He is doing very well in the show."

What seems to have hurt Manish the most is our quote that he does not have any other offer in hand. Clenching his fist, he lets out a serial of names which cuts across major channels. "Post Bhabhi when I opted out, I was not without work. I played the lead in Devi (Sony) and key portrayals in Krishna Arjun (Star), Saakshi (Sony). I was flooded with offers- Kareena Kareena (Zee), Reth (Zee), Tumhari Disha (Zee), recently Sindoor (Zee), Hum 2 Hai Na (Sony), C.I.D (Sony), Rajshri's forthcoming serial (Sahara). Then they wanted me back in Saara Akaash (Star Plus). Just yesterday, I was offered Prratima (Sahara)- again a lead role."

And the comment on Poonam Narula, his other half, that she had always been more popular than him! "So what? Poonam is my wife, but that does not take away the fact that she is senior to me. I have great regards of her acting potential. She is way beyond for me to consider her as competition," he shoots back.

Didn't Dolly Sohi playing Saroj in Bhabhi also attempt to put sense into his mind when he had mentionned to her about the indecision regarding whether to continue post the leap or not? Manish dismisses it off, "Do I need Dolly to ingrain in me what I should do or what I shouldn't? I have my own mind, an intelligent wife and trustworthy friends to guide me," the lead actor points out.

We hope this Saiiya of Bhabhi puts his head on the pillow and gets a good sleep now.