Shivani Surve gets unlucky; Popular VJ Pankhuri Awasthi is Zee &’s ‘Razia Sultan’

Ardent readers of Tellychakkar.com would remember reading about Navya and Phulwa fame Shivani Surve, in all likelihood playing the title role of Razia Sultan in Swastik Productions’ upcoming show for Zee & (And) on the life of Razia Sultan, the first woman ruler of India in the 13th century. Well, we now have some exclusive feed on the show right now. And it is that Shivani has been unlucky to have just missed the bus, when it comes to playing the mighty central character. So what is the new development? Well, Shivani was finalized to play Razia, and was going through her diction classes as well as training in horse riding and sword fighting. However, the girl got very sick, with typhoid just before the show could go on floor. And it was a big decision for the channel and maker, to replace her. And now, the very first choice for the role, Pankhuri Awasthi has bagged the plump role instead. A highly-placed source tells us, “Pankhuri Awasthi is in. She was the very first choice to play Razia Sultan, but was dropped later on. But now, with Shivani getting replaced, Pankhuri has gotten in again.” Must say, destiny has played a big part in favour of Pankhuri!! We tried getting a confirmation on this from Producer Siddharth Tewary, but could not get through to him. Our efforts to reach the channel spokesperson also remained futile. Gear up to watch the new ‘Razia’ in action very soon..Zee & is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2015.