The Sony SAB TV show ‘Ali Baba’ has been grabbing the headlines ever since its lead actress Tunisha Sharma died by suicide on the sets on December 24 last year. Soon after her death, her ex-boyfriend and the show’s lead actor Sheezan Khan was arrested on charges of abetment of suicide. He has been in judicial custody since.
Now, Sheezan has been replaced by Abhishek Nigam and the show has been renamed from ‘Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul’ to ‘Ali Baba: Ek Andaaz Andekha Chapter 2’. In fact, after Tunisha's demise, the cast and the crew had moved the sets to Naigaon before returning to the original set in Vasai a few days ago.
Abhishek was recently asked about shooting for the show and he told ETimes, "Uncomfortable se zyada, responsibility wala khayaal haavi tha. (More than being uncomfortable, I felt more responsible). I was nervous and scared initially because the decision to come on board was made overnight. Whenever I was nervous, the director and the cast encouraged me. Everyone has been supportive, warm, and understanding. They didn’t make me feel like a newcomer."
When asked about replacing Sheezan Khan as the titular character, Abhishek mentioned, "Irrespective of the nature of the replacement, comparisons are normal and inevitable. The audience finds it difficult to warm up to a new face. However, if you are diligent and portray the character with conviction, you will strike a chord with the viewer. Our thought process has been to infuse a fresh approach to the show. Though the core emotion has been retained, my character is different from the previous one. It is more energetic and quirkier.”
Meanwhile, makers are now looking for a lead new actress but Tunisha’s character will not be recast. They will bring a new female lead opposite Abhishek Nigam.
