‘Sushant, you will always be Manav, nothing can change that & no one can replace that,’ says Shaheer Sheikh in an emotional note for SSR post taking on the role in ‘Pavitra Rishta 2’

By Vandana Srivastawa

on July 13, 2021 06:59:35 PM

Shaheer Sheikh has issued a statement for the fans of Sushant Singh Rajput and netizens clarifying his decision of taking on the latter’s role of Manav Deshmukh in Pavitra Rishta 2. Shaheer had agreed to play the lead in the series opposite Ankita Lokhande who is reprising her role but the announcement of the series has not gone down well with the fans who called to boycott it. Twitterati started trending #BoycottPavitraRishta2 on Twitter trolling Ankita and producer Ekta Kapoor, whereas they targeted Shaheer saying that Sushant will forever remain their Manav.

Now taking to Twitter, Shaheer wrote, “When I was first approached for PR2, I was taken aback. Who in their right frame of mind, would dare to play a character immortalised by Sushant Singh Rajput.. I too was reluctant. Then I thought, knowing Sushant he was one to take every challenge head on. And so I decided that while it is scary to step into his shoes & live upto audience expectations… it is scarier to NOT even try. And so I did what I felt he would do, if he was in my position. I took the challenge. When the team told me they wanted someone who was earnest so that we could all tell a story that was a fitting homage to Sushant’s legacy… I decided to give it my all and leave the rest to the audiences and to The All Mighty.”

#PavitraRishta2 pic.twitter.com/qGpkWBzSs4

— Shaheer Sheikh (@Shaheer_S) July 13, 2021

He further added, ‘Working with a team that loved & respected him immensely only adds to the genuine intent in all our hearts. Sushant, you will always be Manav. Nothing can change that & no one can replace that. I may not be as good, and I may not do justice to it like you did, but I promise to give it my all.”

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Ankita faced a lot of backlash on Twitter for Pavitra Rishta 2 and netizens trolled her for minting money and publicity on Sushant’s name. Fans also alleged that the makers of the show are cashing in on Sushant's death for publicity and monetary gain.

Pavitra Rishta 2 also stars Usha Nadkarni who will be reprising her role of Ankita’s mom in the serial. The serial will stream on ALTBalaji soon. The shoot for the web series has started.

(Source: Twitter)