Narayani 'Taashu' Shastri out of 'Kkusum'

Less than two months ago, Narayani Shastri made a grand re-entry in Sony's Kkusum as Taashu. Today, she has quit the serial on her own accord. Shastri has already stopped shooting for Kkusum. Taashu, incidentally, had returned to the soap after more than a year’s gap. An elated Shastri, excited about her new look, had then said, "There is still that negative streak in her; but Taashu’s look will be extremely distinct from the old Taashu." One wonders if Shastri had reservations about playing mother to Akashdeep Saigal, better known as Ansh of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. It is a known fact that Shastri had reservations playing the role of a mother (Rimjhim) in Piya Ka Ghar. She had consented only when she was offered the role of the daughter (Megha) as well. Perhaps, her screen son Trishul is hogging the limelight too much. Our sources tell us that Akashdeep tends to interfere a lot with the script. An actor requesting annoymity says, "He is very involved with the project. But if we shoot at his pace, it would be fine if we are making a film but not when we are actually making a serial." Shastri however, denies this, "I had no other problem in Kkusum except for the fact that I felt that my character wasn't shaping well. According to me, it wasn't going anywhere. I spoke to Nivedita Basu about it," adding, "I am open to coming back if there's something exciting happening for me. We parted on amicable terms. There was absolutely no animosity." Were there days when Shastri thought that she was cooling her heels on the sets? "Hmmm... yeah, sometimes. But not always. That way, Balaji is pretty organised. 'Aur thoda bahut to sab set par hota hai'," she revealed. Meanwhile, Shastri has just one serial in her kitty for the moment, Piya Ka Ghar, which took a leap early this month. Shastri assures us that she will be soon seen in serials in which she will play central characters. Did the thought of grazing on greener pastures made her leave Kkusum??? Who knows!