'Balika Vadhu': Avinash Wadhawan Quits, Akshay Anand to Play Shiv's Father

"Balika Vadhu" is one of the most popular TV series in India and several stars have left the show after hogging the limelight through it.

To put on records, Anup Soni, Smita Bansal and Satyajit Sharma have quit the show in recent months. The latest to join their bandwagon is none other than Avinash Wadhawan, who has been replaced by Akshay Anand.

Talking about quitting "Balika Vadhu", Avinash calls it unavoidable and thanked the bosses of the show for relieving him. "The leap is inevitable. Basically, I don't want to play a grandfather. I had also committed to a Punjabi film and am required to travel outdoors. I'm thankful that the production house and the channel allowed me to quit," The Times of India quoted him as saying.

Avinash started his acting career as a hero in the Hindi movie "Aayee Milan Ki Raat" in 1991 and has more than 20 movies to his credit. He debuted on the small screen with "Junoon – Aisi Nafrat Toh Kaisa Ishq". Besides "Balika Vadhu", he has also starred in "Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai". 

The "Parwane" star says that he always looks for powerful characters and its age does not matter to him.

"I've played a father in 'Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai' as well. My priority is to play strong and powerful characters. I would love to play younger roles, but TV doesn't allow that, although men my age are still heroes on the big screen," said Avinash.

Avinash played Shiv aka Shivraj's father Anoopraj Premkishor Shekhar in "Balika Vadhu". After he walked out of the serial, this role is being played by Akshay, who also does not mind playing aged roles on screen.

"I don't have any qualms about aging on screen as the viewers relate more to the character than the actor. Also, I accepted the offer because there's an interesting twist in the character's track," said Akshay.