Reem Sheikh to Saumya Tandon: TV actors who quit their popular characters from these shows

Tujhse Hai Raabta’s Reem Shaikh and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai’s Saumya Tandon, who were popularly known for their roles as Kalyani and Anita Bhabhi, decided to call it quits. Apart from them, a few actors from popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah also decided to leave the show. Take a look at the actors, who have quit daily soaps in recent times.

Tujhse Hai Raabta's Reem Shaikh, who became a household name as Kalyani, has decided to quit the show. Confirming the news to ETimes, Reem shared, "Yes, I have decided to move on because of some personal reasons and also because I want to explore my options. It has been a successful two years with the Tujhse Hai Raabta team and it is with a very heavy heart that I have taken this decision and I hope my fans keep supporting me.”

Actress Saumya Tandon, who became popular as Gori Mem of 'Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai', has also left the comedy show. Her last day on the sets was on Friday (August 21). Citing her reasons, she shared, “Well, you can say that it’s an impractical decision to quit a stable job, that too, in an established show. But, I realised that being employed and earning a regular income was not exciting enough any more. I want to do projects where there is scope for growth as an artiste. Having said that, it does not mean that 'Bhabi Ji...' did not contribute to my growth, I had a beautiful journey on the show. However, I have played this character for five years now, and I don’t see myself doing it for another five years.”

ETimes TV had exclusively learnt that Neha Mehta, who plays the role of Taarak Mehta's (Sailesh Lodha) wife Anjali, will no longer be part of the show. Sunayana Fozdar has been roped in for the role. Sunayana also gave her shot with the cast yesterday (August 23). Neha was a part of the show for 12 years, since its inception. Neha did not resume the shoot of TMKOC after the lockdown as she had decided to leave the show. The makers were looking for her replacement.

Gurucharun Singh aka Mr. Sodhi of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has also called it quits owing to personal reason. Balwinder Singh Suri has been roped in for the role now. Balwinder Singh Suri has also started shooting for the show. Suri is best remembered for playing the role of Shah Rukh Khan's friend in the film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’. He has done films like ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’ and ‘Dhamaal’, to name a few.

Avneet Kaur played the role of princess Yasmine in the show, Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna Hoga. The actress quit the show on medical grounds as she doesn't have a healthy immune system. Speaking about the same, she had told Etimes TV, "I decided to leave the show because of the coronavirus crisis. I suffered from dengue last year, but resumed work despite my immunity not being strong. There was the stress of preparing for my board exams, too, at that time. It made me really weak. So, I am scared of resuming shoots at the moment. My parents and I decided that it’s better for me to quit. I am sad, but health comes first." Ashi Singh (23) has replaced Avneet Kaur.

Karan Singh Grover was replaced by Karan Patel to play the role of Mr. Rishabh Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. Although Karan Singh Grover did not issue an official statement about leaving the show, reports suggest that given the current Covid-19 crisis, he did not feel safe to return to the set.(Photo: Instagram)

Puja Banerjee played the role of Maa Vaishno Devi in the show. However, she quit the show to focus on her married life. In an interview with ETimes TV, she told, "I got married recently and wanted to take a break. I really need some time for myself after marriage." Puja tied the knot with Kunal Verma during the lockdown. She has been replaced with Patiala Babes' Paridhi Sharma to play Maa Vaishno Devi. (Photo: Instagram)

Shikha Singh was seen portraying the role of Aaliya in the show, Kumkum Bhagya. The actress said that she was expecting to get back to work in January 2021. However, shoots resumed and the makers couldn't wait for that long. Speaking about it, in an interview with BT, Shikha said, "I haven’t been officially informed yet, about being replaced. I didn’t quit the show and was hoping to get back to work in January 2021, but I think it is unfair to expect the production house to wait for me till then. Also, I can’t resume work during the COVID-19 crisis, with a newborn at home." Actress Reyhna Malhotra has stepped in as Aaliya in the show now.(Photo: Instagram)

Naina Singh played an antagonist in Kumkum Bhagya. In an exclusive interview with ETimes TV, she had confirmed this news. Naina told us, "I wasn’t happy with the character there was no change. Rhea would do things that a normal college going girl would never do and it became very monotonous and was taking a toll on me. I requested the makers but didn’t get any positive response. And along with that I was getting a lot of offers which I had to say no because I was committed to this show. And as an actor, I care about my growth and I think to grow you need to move ahead." Naina has been replaced by Pooja Banerjee, who is currently seen as Nivedita Basu in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. (Photo: Instagram)

Vaishnavi Prajapati essayed the role of Jugnu, daughter of Pranati Mishra (Aneri Vajani) and Reyansh Khurana (Kunal Jaisingh) in Pavitra Bhagya. Riva Arora has replaced her. As per the new guidelines, children below the age of 10 can't work amid such situations. (Photo: Instagram)