TV Actor Karan Patel, the rebellious Robby of 'Kasturi', is becoming tardy, and Ekta Kapoor does not like it one bit.

With surprising candour, Karan admits that there was indeed a problem at Balaji Telefilms.

'Yes, I did come late for the shoot. But that's because I've taken on another show, 'Kaho Na Yaar Hai'. And initially there was some problem synchronising the two schedules although they're both shows for the same channel.

I'm sure it'll be sorted out very shortly. For now I regret the inconvenience caused to the 'Kasturi' team and to Ekta,' Karan told.

Karan admits things reached a head and the entire cast walked away en masse.

'Yes, the 'Kasturi' cast did walk out en masse because I arrived late. Then Ekta and I had a meeting and I explained my situation. And she's okay now. But it's not something I could help. Or something that I'd do intentionally.'

Kasturi's bad boy turned angel makes another strangely disarming confession.

Amita Chandekar, who has a vamp's part in 'Kasturi' and who partnered him in 'Nach Baliye 3' was never his real-life girlfriend.

'I'd like to clarify that I don't have a girlfriend. This was something I needed to clear for a long time. It's a misunderstanding that has been allowed to go on for too long. Amita and I are close friends.

And we were together for some time, though not as a couple. Our togetherness was mistaken for something else. I'm much relieved to clear this notion,' Karan said.

So how did they end up being a couple on 'Nach Baliye'?

'We were friends and we suited the rules and regulations of 'Nach Baliye'...you could say we were a pair or you could say were never a pair. I never proposed to her. There was never a girlfriend-boyfriend tag. We were two people who hung out together quite often.'

Karan is currently one of Indian television's most coveted stars.

'Really?' he feigns disbelief. 'Now that you've brought it to my notice, I'm flattered and thrilled. Yeah, the change has been quite sudden, though I hardly get time off from television to see what I've achieved.

I was just one of the bit players on 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki' where I was almost a junior artist. I was suddenly pulled out of the backbench to play the lead in 'Kasturi'.

I never thought the serial would fetch me so much recognition. It just boosts your morale to know you've finally arrived. I guess I've made big progress,' says the scion of a Gujarati business family.

The young actor says he was always confident of his success. 'But I never knew it would happen so suddenly. One day I was just another face on television.

The next day I was Robby in 'Kasturi'. Then 'Nach Baliye' happened. Now I'm anchoring a show for STAR. I couldn't have hoped for more.'

He admits the fan attention has multiplied. 'I'm now craving to make the next move...to cinema. Insha Allah, it should happen soon. Yes, television has its own place now.

But when you do a lot of television, you become identified as the character you play in the soaps. Smriti (Irani) will be known as Tulsi no matter what she does in the future.

But age and time are on my side. So I can be patient. I'll have to cut off from television, re-invent myself for the big screen. Yes, I do have film offers.'

He admits 'Nach Baliye' added to his popularity. 'Weekdays, I was seen on a soap. And during weekends I was seen as dancer on a reality show.

So I was there in viewers' faces throughout the week. It gave me a chance to dance, something I am very fond of. I used to dance for Shiamak Davar's troupe earlier. Yes, I was preparing for stardom from my childhood.'