Surbhi Chandna aka Anika's sudden exit from Star Plus' popular show 'Ishqbaaz' has not been taken down too well by the show's ardent fans. From trending #NoSurbhiNoIshqbaaz on Twitter, putting up posters on Mumbai's streets, to sending threatning mails to the prodcuers, the fans are doing everything possible to get their khidhki-tod Anika back on the show.
However, it seems the makers are in no mood to change their plan of action. On Saturday, Star Plus released an official announcement video on Instagram in which producer Gul Khan bid farewell to the super six of 'Ishqbaaz'. She urged the fans to support them in their new journey as they take 'Ishqbaaz' to whole new heights.
Read Gul Khan's full speech, here:
"We have been deeply touched by the amount of love 'Ishqbaaz' has been given. And all the characters Shivaay, Anika, Omkara, Gauri, Rudra and Bhavya have been portrayed excellently by the entire cast. But like all stories must conclude even this must come to an end for the new one to begin. Similarly, even a character's journey must conclude with a logical ending. Therefore, with a heavy but a content heart, time has come to bid good-bye to the super six of 'Ishqbaaz'. But, as they say that the show must go on so we ask you continue with us on this new journey while we take the brand 'Ishqbaaz' to a completely new season. So here' to beautiful good byes and new beginnings."
Check out the video:
The leap will take place in December, this year, Gul Khan had earlier revealed in a recent interview with Pinkvilla. It is being said that Nakuul Mehta is the only one who will be retained in the new season. He will reportedly play the role of Shivaay and Anika's son, Shivaansh Singh Oberoi. The light-eyed hunk will be paired opposite a fresh face, the hunt for which is still underway.
Surbhi confirmed her ouster from the show a few days back through a social media post. "Signing off as YOUR KHIDKITOD ANNIKA with gratitude and affection. I promise to be back with a bang and entertain you all in a new avatar very soon. Just keep loving me, I'll keep loving you and the rest will fall in place," the actress wrote.
Later in an interview with Spotboye.come, when asked if it was her decision to quit the show, Surbhi clarified, "How can I be a part of the show anymore when the show is taking a leap and I am not a part of it? The producer (Gul Khan) had this plan to take the story ahead in that way, so I haven't taken any decision."
Surbhi also disclosed that her exit was pre-decided, and her ouster had nothing to do with her not wanting to play a mother on-screen.
"The mother was just a one/two weeks long track and they would have shown me pregnant. After that, it was the leap. So I didn't think that I should play that portion. I have had so many graphs in my character, Anika. I didn't think that I was ready to play a mother in my very first show. I feel that I have many facets yet to explore as an artiste before I play mother," she told the portal.
When asked if she is aware of the social-media outcry, Surbhi said, "Well, honestly, I haven't read the tweets but a lot of people have been messaging me that such a thing is happening, something even to the effect #NoSurbhiNo Isqbaaz. I understand the sentiments that have caused this. Viewers are very attached to my character."
Surbhi doesn't hold any grudges again Gul Khan whatsoever. "I have been a part of Ishqbaaaz for two-and-half years and received so much of love and appreciation from people. It is far more than I would have ever imagined. I am signing off on a contented note. I have no hard feelings. Producer ne bhi kuch socke plan kiya hoga na," she said.
Anika fans recently initiated a hashtag #SpeakUpStarIndia, where they questioned makers' decision of letting go off the female actress while propagating #MeToo movement and women empowerment.
Responding to the same, Gul Khan told Spotboye.com, “How am I being biased? I am the same person who retained Surbhi Jyoti for 4 years and changed 6 heroes in Qubool Hai. So how is retaining Nakuul Mehta (which suggests that he has had a change of mind, for he was contemplating to exit until 3 days back) signalling that I am gender-biased? Shocking to hear! If you talk about Ishqbaaaz, a few more characters other than Surbhi will also be terminated after leap. Clearly, people are not being changed on the basis of gender here. So, it’s idiotic to accuse me or Star Plus' of being gender biased. All I can say is that creating issues because you have no logical reason is terribly funny and frustrating.”
