Kaante... sans Kashif and Shakeel

Pakistani artistes Shakeel Siddiqui and Kashif Khan will not be seen in Kaante Ki Takkar anymore. The two had reached the finals but their absence has completely changed the equation of the show. The duo had left India in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack. A source from the production house (Optimystix) informs, “Shakeel and Kashif had made it to the finals of the show. Only the grand finale had to be shot. Now the creative team is planning to have Archana Puran Singh and Shekhar Suman partner Shakeel and Kashif for their respective acts. Since the two contestants are out of the show, there will be no winner. Every participant will be considered as a winner and given the trophy. It will be a fun episode that will not have any competition. Shakeel made in China, the new show that was to follow Kaante Ki Takkar will no longer have Shakeel in it. Not only will there be a change in title but the production house is looking out for his replacement.” Astonishingly, both Kashif and Shakeel have not been informed about their ouster from the show. It will come as a shock to Shakeel as he was still hoping for things to resolve. He was touching new heights in India and was all geared up for his new show. Unfortunately, his future in India has now gone kaput,” adds our source. Judge Shekhar Suman says, “It is a perfect thing that has happened. There is a national crisis that was perpetuated by Pakistan. Our country is standing united against Pakistan. We can’t be hypocritical about our relation with Pakistan any more. But I must say that the two were fantastic performers and I have nothing against them.” Shakeel’s partner in Kaante Ki Takkar Urvashi Dholakia refused to comment. Despite repeated attempts, producer Vipul Shah and Sony Business Head Albert Almeida remained unavailable for their comment.