Abhay Kapoor

Shruti Ulfat and Anuj Saxena's bonding goes years back when both nursed Bollywood dreams. Shruti Ulfat, who gained popularity as the anchor of Antakshri on Zee TV, had earlier acted as Anuj Saxena's heroine in Sar Aakho Par, a film produced by Vicveck Vasvani. The original choice for that film was Tara Deshpande who backed out because she bagged another film Is Raat Ki Subhah Nahi, which did reasonably well. Shruti took up Sar Aakho Par, the film flopped but she started getting better roles on television. Similarly, Anuj too attained fame after he acted as Abhay Kapoor in Sony's Kkusum.

Aamir Ali's only claim to TV fame has been Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. But there was a time once when he was Nausheen Alii Sardar's boyfriend, a time when both were into modelling. When Nausheen bagged the title role in Kkusum, she wanted him to play Abhay Kapoor. But then, we have it on authority that Ekta was clear about having Anuj Saxena for the role of Abhay. That spelt the end of Nausheen's dreams of having Aamir as her on screen hero.

Is Poonam Narula on her way out of Kkusum? The much maligned and beleagured show that has been on a downslide for various reasons seems to be attempting to right itself. Anuj Saxena, who plays Abhay Kapoor, has already announced his decision to quit the show. And now, Poonam Narula, who returned to the show after a maternity break in real life, is the one who could be asked to go. We have it on authority that Jaya Bhattacharya was offered the role of Mahi. When we quizzed Jaya, she squealed, "No way! I have enough work on my hands, and I have already turned the offer down!"

His decision to walk out of Kkusum seems to have already other producers' thinking. Anuj Saxena, who had restricted himself to the lone persona of Abhay Kapoor for a long time, now has offers pouring in, we hear. One of the whackiest offers that has come his way is for a role in Star Plus' Hello Dollie. Dollie, played by Karishma Randhawa, was loosely modeled on the Princess Diaries, but has long since become a fantasy serial for kids. The show's producers deny that they are looking for a romantic interest for Dollie, but how else will Anuj fit into the frame?