Pratyusha Banerjee who was chosen by the public to play the grown up Anandi in Balika Vadhu has been replaced by the channel. The actress has already stopped shooting and her replacement is Toral Rasputra.
A unit source says, `The makers were looking for a replacement for a long time now. There were some issues between her and the crew as she never came on the sets on time.`
Pratyusha however maintains, `In a family set up, arguments are bound to happen. I wish them all the best. They gave me fame and name.`
The actress is planning to take a break at the moment to spend time with her ill mother. She adds, `It was mutual decision as they were looking for another girl. I had a meeting with the channel and decided to quit. My mother had an eye operation and I wanted to take care of her.`
The channel's spokesperson states, `Pratyusha will be replaced from the March 4 episode. The show is focussing on Shiv-Anandi's married life. Given the hectic shoot schedules, Pratyusha was unable to commit the required time. Therefore, we mutually agreed to part ways.`
Pratyusha stepped into the shoes of child prodigy Avika Gor as Anandi in 2010, when the show, based on child marriage, took a five-year leap. She was chosen through a nationwide poll.
The current track shows her married to Shivraj Alok Shekhar, essayed by actor Siddharth Shukla. Their chemistry is winning the show a lot of viewership. Hence, one wonders how the viewers will take to her replacement.
Meanwhile, Pratyusha doesn't have any set plans post "Balika Vadhu".
"I don't have any plans at the moment. I will take a break for a month and then see what to take up next," she added.
Pratyusha, who is from Jamshedpur, has become a known face thanks to the show.
She even went on to participate in dance reality show "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5", but she couldn't be on the show for long due to health issues.
