/> Describing his anchoring partner Himani Kapoor on Zee's Antakshari as a child, Karan Oberoi expresses outrage at the rumours in a section of the press linking the two.

Apparently lady- love Mona Singh hasn't taken kindly to these rumours.

"Such nonsense is most annoying and irritating," says Karan with uncharacteristic edginess. "Until now everyone was after Mona and me to admit to our relationship. Now that we've finally come out in the open, these corny stories about me and Himani have started. Give the girl a break, yaar ! She's just a kid. And I treat her like a child. People who talk like this deserve to live in the zoo."

Dismissing any awkwardness with Mona on the issue, Karan says, "She knows me and the entertainment industry only too well to react to such loose talk. We both feel this is the brainwave of some sick minds."

A rumour suggests that the channel, alarmed by the dipping TRPs for Antakshari ever since Gajendra Singh moved on, could have a hand in these Karan-Himani rumours.

Karan isn't too sure. "Why would they spread such a rumour? It can only affect the programme adversely. The result of such nonsense could be sad. Both Himani and I would become so self-conscious we would stop interacting on the show."

In fact the aftermath of the romantic speculation has already occurred. Himani's parents are so upset about the link-up that the poor girl has decided to keep her distance from the gregarious Karan Oberoi.