Bending the law for 'Astitva...'

It's a story within a story. Or, a story that would have had to be re-written if the UK authorities had messed with the script. Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened, and the London shoot of Astitva - Ek Prem Kahani went off without a hitch. Hua yeh - Anju Mahendru and Naresh Suri, who play Dr Simran's (that's Niki Aneja Walia for you) bua and phupha, did not have their work permits in order when they accompanied the cast and crew of Astitva... to the UK for the on-location shoot on 15 January. The entire Ajai Sinha led team were supposed to have shot the wedding scenes of Mahendru and Suri's son on British soil. Unfortunately, after landing in the country, it was discovered that both artistes' work permits were not complete, as required. The stringent UK laws would have seen both Mahendru and Suri deported in no time, and without the rest of the cast, which would have permission to shoot till 23 January. It was the UK authorities who stepped in to help, tell our sources. Astitva.. has a huge NRI fan following, a major percentage of which resides in the UK. Deporting Mahendru and Suri would have meant drastic changes in the Astitva... script too. The authorities finally allowed the duo to continue to shoot in London till this weekend with the rest of the team!