For the last few weeks, social media has been abuzz with the news that Ek Duje Ke Vaaste on Sony Entertainment Television is set to go off air soon. Reason? Unknown, though a little birdie tells us that the ill health of leading lady Nikita Dutta — who has been unable to shoot for long spells — is to blame. 

But fans of the show — and of Namik Paul, who plays its brooding protagonist Shravan — have not taken this lightly. Pleas, protests and petitions on social media — and in the t2 mailbox (see box) — made us reach out to Namik and Sony for their version. While sources at Sony insist that the show is not being pulled off “for the time being”, Namik is as confused as his fans, though he admits that the show that went on air in February this year was always planned as a “limited series”, clocking 100 episodes recently. 

WHAT MAKES EDKV A HIT. t2 DECODES

Shravan: Namik Paul’s sexy and charming protagonist is a reason why many fangirls tune in every weeknight. Shravan’s six-pack abs are a huge hit and so is that sexy stubble. 

C for chemistry: Within a very short span, Namik and Nikita have managed to conjure up magic on screen, with fans going ga-ga over their chemistry.

Mills & Boon plot: Fans have warmed to the Mills & Boon storyline that shows the lead pair initially at loggerheads and then gradually falling in love.

The title track: Sung by Jubin Nautiyal and scored by Sachin-Jigar, the title track has a loyal following, with lyrics like Hothon pe tere/ shikvon ka shor hai/ par ye nighaahein/ kehti kuch aur hai striking a chord. 

I am here to request you on behalf of the entire fandom of Ek Duje Ke Vaaste aired on Sony TV @10pm, Monday to Friday! As you may be aware, the channel — Sony TV — has all of a sudden decided to end the show in two weeks, that is by October 7, 2016. We request you to kindly help us in raising our voice and give us a platform to fight against the injustice that Sony has shown towards its most-watched serial. The cast and crew of the show deserve our support. You can check out all the social media platforms — Twitter, Instagram and Facebook — where fans worldwide are trying to save their show!  — One of the many Ek Duje Ke Vaaste fan letters in the t2 inbox

With fans of Ek Duje Ke Vaaste crying foul, t2 dialled lead actor Namik Paul’s number. The Delhi boy is understandably being “cautiously optimistic”...

Your fans are writing online petitions, pleading that Ek Duje Ke Vaaste shouldn’t go off air. What’s the status of the show currently? 

I am as confused as anybody else! Every day I read different reports. Since I am visible on TV, a lot of people think I am very powerful and they think I have a lot more power than I actually do! Honestly, I am given a script, I just shoot and that’s pretty much all I know. But obviously, it seems serious. I am keeping my expectations low. All of us are disappointed because we can’t finish the story if we go off air. It was a limited series and we were supposed to wrap up in December-January 2017, so anyway not much time was left. But it’s disappointing because everyone involved had put their hearts into the show. 

Do you think the protests and pleas from fans can make a difference?

See, the fan reaction to this has been so huge that now I am actually hearing that it might not go off air! You never know... it just might make a difference! I am being cautiously optimistic.  

How close were you to the show and your character Shravan?

I loved it! The show is very close to me. If it goes off air, it will be very difficult for me. This is literally my first show because in the other shows I did, I was barely there. After waiting for a very long time, I got my first big show and it turned out to be exactly what I would have wanted it to be. The feedback to Ek Duje Ke Vaaste has been way beyond my expectations. 

What’s next for you? 

I want to keep working. I love playing Shravan. Whatever I do, I need to be happy and enjoy it. 

Ratnalekha Mazumdar
Ek Duje Ke Vaaste shouldn’t go off air because.... Tell t2@abp.in