Siddharth Sagar opens up on 'slapgate' controversy with Bharti

Celebrities, primarily of the comic genre, are presumed to be all hunky dory. However, they are humans too and beneath the comic caper, flows the ‘lava’ emotion of anger. Tellychakkar.com earlier in the day reported about an unfortunate incident involving two noted rib-ticklers, Bharti Singh and Siddharth Sagar. This is a perfect story of a funny gag gone wrong. Bharti and Siddharth (who have shared stage since the Comedy Classes days), were striking the humour chords on Comedy Nights Live couple of months back, in presence of Anil Kapoor. As per the script, Siddharth had to slap Bharti and in over exuberance (we hope so) Siddharth hit Bharti real hard. A visibly shocked and embarrassed Bharti continued to roll but once the director shouted “cut”, she created a storm, had a showdown with Siddharth and said the production house (Optimystix), “Either he or I”. Flummoxed and in a fix, the maker asked Siddharth to leave, thus bringing curtain to his stint in Comedy Nights Live. It is also said that Siddharth bore the ‘slap’ brunt recently when he was not picked as part of the casting brigade for Comedy Nights Bachao Tazaa, where Bharti’s presence is key. There have been multiple versions of the slapgate version in the media but speaking exclusively to Tellychakkar.com, Siddharth shared his side of the story: “While performing, we sometimes experience overflow of emotions. Thus, I might have hit Bharti hard but it was never intentional. There have been times when she threw me on the ground while performing an act but I never complained. It is a sad misconception that Bharti has and thus the overall misunderstanding. Her boyfriend Harsh (also the writer of the show) came up to me and told me never to touch Bharti again. That was uncalled for. Who’s he to talk to me that way? How did he dare to be rude to me? I was just part of an act. I was truly hurt, when I was hurled with accusations but I am not at fault, and I maintain that." When we quizzed him if Bharti’s the reason for his recent missed opportunities, he said, "About them throwing me out, well they offered me shows but I denied. I do not want to work with the Optimystix team. There have differences at the creative and casting level, hence I would like to maintain my distance” But Siddharth was quick to maintain that if the production offers him a solo project he will be more than happy to join. "I have a nine year relationship with Optimystix and they will never let any injustice happen to me. As far as projects are concerned, I have reached a point where I want to do solo shows and not be a supporting cast. If they are ready to give me that I will oblige whole heartedly," he ended. . Both Comedy Nights Live and Tazaa beam on Colors.