Shraddha is the new Niki

Star Plus' Dekho Magar Pyaar Se is going in for a sea change. The most dramatic change in the show will be the replacement of the lead protagonist - Niki. Shweta Agarwal, the plump answer to Sony's Jassi is being replaced by Shraddha Nigam, last seen in Sahara One's Saathiya. Sanjay Upadhyay, creative advisor to producer BAG Films asserts, "The channel and production house unanimously decided upon Shraddha Nigam to play the role of Niki." Shraddha Nigam, known for her sensitive performance in Sony's Choodiyan is all excited about the role. She chirps, "It's one cool show. The language and the dailogues are just so cool." Says producer Anurradha Prasad, "The earlier story was coming to a logical end, which is why we decided to move over to a completely new story and a change in most of the characters." Anurradha however refuses to divulge how the change from Shweta to Shraddha will be explained. So what is the look that Shraddha will be flaunting? "I'll be in a new get-up altogether. I'll be wearing western clothes with ethnic shades to look Goan," says Shraddha. This is one look that one should look forward to as Shraddha will give up her beautiful tresses. "I cut my hair short for the summers. Incidentally, the show required me to have short hair, and everything fell in place," she says with joy. "Initially doing a role in a serial already on air didn't excite me because a new show is a new show after all. But then, it just clicked. I am very happy about it," says Shraddha. But that's not the only thing changing in the serial. The serial is going in for a change of track. "The plot will now be based in Goa, where Niki decides to shift after a spate of bad events in her life. She starts living with her daddoo's friends who own a café house. Niki will come across a group of young boys and girls who rehearse near the coffee shop," reveals Sanjay. "She will come across a character called Arjun played by Kushal Punjabi," he adds. "My role is similar to that of Shah Rukh Khan in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. I lie most of the times," laughs Kushal. "Arjun and Niki will initially not get along with each other," he adds. Looks like a love story in the making! Or looks like a lovely season for Kushal as he will also be playing the lead in Le Jayenge, a Contiloe project coming soon on Star Plus. Kushal also has a film assignment coming up. Explaining his character in Le Jayenge, Kushal says, "I play the most dutiful son, one would ever come across. I am such that anyone would be willing to give away his daughter right away." So why did Kushal take up the role of Arjun when he was very clear he wouldn't to do a serial that was already on air? "Dekho Magar Pyaar Se is being revamped. The story, the location and even the lead is being changed. Its like season two of Dekho Magar Pyaar Se" he asserts. In our story last week on what the leads of Zee's Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa had planned, once the show went off-air, Kushal was quoted saying, "I want to do one serial and one film now. I have the role of a Casanova, a lawyer and an investigating officer on hand currently. Let's see which one I accept." Promos with the new Niki will go on air this evening. We'll have to wait n watch if this favourite recipe of replacement will work this time.