Why Mohnish Bahl quit Kuch Toh Log Kahenge

The news about Mohnish Bahl quitting Kuch Toh Log Kahenge came as a bit of a shock to the shows viewers.

The news about Mohnish Bahl quitting Kuch Toh Log Kahenge came as a bit of a shock to the shows viewers. While for some time it was known that all was not well between the actor and the production company,what was not expected was that he would leave the show mid-way. The news about his exit was broken by Sonys business head Sneha Rajani on Twitter. She admitted that Mohnish was leaving the show because of health reasons. But rumours refused to die about whether health alone was the sole reason behind his exit from the show,which has got critical appreciation despite lagging on rating charts.

Mohnish is known for finely balancing his career between films and serials. He hasnt done many serials but never left them mid-way. So why did he quit Kuch Toh Log Kahenge,which is barely six months old and still has a long way to go? When contacted,he refused to comment saying that he would like the channel to explain the reason. However,when we insisted on clarification whether he quit the show only on health grounds,Mohnish said that he suffers from lower back problem. Its an old health issue that keeps recurring from time to time and gets corrected after a few days rest. But its never been so acute. Gruelling shooting schedules and lack of proper rest have made it worse since I started shooting for Kuch Toh Log he says.

But wasnt he aware of what he was getting into when he signed the show which is five-day-a-week daily? Surely the back problem must have weighed on his mind? After all,he has done daily soaps before too. I have never shot like this for any of my past serials. For Dil Mill Gaye I used to shoot between six to 12 days in a month. So it was easier to handle, he defends. But the case with Kuch Toh Log Kahenge was different. He elaborates,As per my contract I was required to shoot for only 12 days,but since it is a lead character-centric show,I had to shoot for 18 to 20 days. The location was quite far away from the place I stay,which is in south Mumbai. It required four hours of to and fro travelling. Hectic shooting schedules,night shifts and travelling started taking a toll on my health. There was no way I could have continued working like this because I couldnt push myself any further.

According to an informed source,Mohnish was committed for 12 to13 days that was not enough for the five-day daily and hence he had agreed to give a few extra days. But later problems started and he refused to cooperate. Things started going from bad to worse. It was getting difficult to make a good show within constraints of time and other issues. A call had to be taken to resolve the issue and Mohnishs exit was mutually decided. Health was definitely one issue but it wasnt the only one, says the source. The serials writer Kamlesh Pandey says that a daily soaps schedule is too demanding and can take a heavy toll on an actors health. I respect him as actor. He was cast as Dr. Ashutosh on my recommendation. Over the last 15 days he was in severe pain. I dont blame him for opting out, he adds.

So was accepting the show when he couldnt have given it his 100 per cent a mistake? If you look at it from his point of view it was not a mistake. Probably he was greedy like most actors are. It was an author-backed lead role and such roles dont come the way of actors of Mohnishs age so easily, reasons Pandey. Mohnish admits that he is not happy about leaving the show. I feel sad. It meant a lot to me. But then its not a one-man show. I dont think my exit will have a major impact. I am sure they will soon find a suitable replacement, he adds. Kamlesh also does not think Mohnishs exit will cause any damage. Exits and replacement are done things in daily soaps,both internationally and in India. Its the story that drives the show and not actors. They bring their talent though they are visible part of the show, he opines. A couple of actors have been shortlisted Cezanne Khan,Sharad Kelkar,Anuj Saxena,Sushant Singh and Sanjay Suri to replace Mohnish but the final call was not taken till the time of going to the press.