Even as close friends rule out a patch-up between Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, the actor's parents are said to be strongly supporting their daughter-in-law.

Saif has not only left his wife and children but also frozen all joint bank accounts, sources say.

Hence, for all practical purposes, Amrita and her two children are now fending for themselves while the man of the house is on a world concert tour with Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra.

On the surface, the Saif-Amrita break-up is just like countless other such stories of heartbreak both in and outside the film industry. But there's a twist in this tale.

Apparently Amrita parents-in-law - Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi - are supporting her completely in this hour of crisis.

In fact, Sharmila Tagore went to stay with her daughter-in-law and grandchildren after the marital crisis blew up. She has expressed her displeasure at her son's behaviour.

While the family is hoping for a patch-up, close friends of the couple completely rule out the possibility.

Things have come to such a head that Sanjay Dutt called up Amrita, his old co-star, to offer financial assistance, a kind hand of friendship that the lady has turned down.

According to close friends, Amrita wants to return to work. Acting offers are not quite pouring in as yet. But then when has Bollywood been kind to deserted wives of leading men? Who wants to risk the wrath of the male superstar?

Says a friend of the couple, "It's very sad what Saif has done. We're no one to judge his behaviour. And I'm sure there must have been some provocation for it. But still to leave your family all of a sudden is so cruel."