Anushka Sen replaced in ‘Apna Time Bhi Aayega’: While producers cite unprofessionalism, actress claims she quit on health grounds

Anushka Sen replaced in ‘Apna Time Bhi Aayega’: While producers cite unprofessionalism, actress claims she quit on health grounds
It’s barely been three weeks since ‘Apna Time Bhi Aayega’ (‘ATBA’) hit the tube and the makers of the TV show have decided to replace no less than the protagonist. Anushka Sen, who plays Rani Singh, in ‘ATBA’, has been replaced by Megha Ray of ‘Dil Yeh Ziddi Hai’ fame. The latter will commence the shoot from tomorrow. Incidentally, the makers of the daily soap claim that they had been planning to rope in a new actress to play the central part since quite some time. However, team Anushka maintains that it was their call to end the association, as shooting for the show has taken a toll on her health.
Producer Ved Raj tells us, “It’s not an easy decision for any producer to replace the lead actor after 18 episodes. We have literally been pushed to the wall and have had to make this change. Anushka had been throwing tantrums from the beginning. However, we were hoping that things would change for the better with time. Unfortunately, the situation only got worse. Anushka had an issue performing crucial scenes, which showed her doing household chores and always demanded a body double. She must have been worried about her social media image, given her following on Instagram.”
The rumours of her replacement have been doing the rounds since a few weeks. Apparently, the actress was so upset reading a report about her replacement that she didn’t turn up on the set for five days. The producer adds, “We could have tolerated her tantrums, as long as it wasn’t hampering the show. However, not turning up for the shoot amounted to unprofessionalism and we decided to bring in a new actress for the part finally. Of course, it’s a huge risk that we are taking by replacing the heroine, but we had no choice or else the show would have suffered.”
On her part, Anushka tells us that it was her decision to exit the show and she mailed her exit notice to the production house yesterday. She says, “I haven’t been keeping well. In fact, I fell extremely sick on October 28 during the shoot. A doctor was called on the set, who had advised me 10-day rest. However, I had to resume work after two days owing to the demands of a daily soap. I have been down with a bad cold and cough. There is weakness, too. Many others on the set, too, have been down with cold and cough and my family was worried about my health. I also underwent a COVID-19 test, but fortunately, it was negative. However, my health is deteriorating with every passing day and we don’t want to take any chance. That’s why I decided to quit the show. However, we have told the producers that I will shoot with them for 10-15 days till they find a replacement. I have been working since the age of 9. However, this is the first time that I have fallen severely ill and I can’t take any further risk.”