'Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani:' Siddhant Karnick and Drashti Dhami to exit? Chetan Hansraj to enter

Drashti Dhami and Siddhant Karnick on-screen appearance as Gayathri and Ranaji made "Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani" as one of the popular shows of Zee TV. However, the lead pair will reportedly quit, as the show is set for a seven-year leap.

The period drama is set to undergo major track and character changes and post leap the show will focus on Ranaji and Gayathri's children. Though there has been no official announcement regarding the same, reports suggest that the makers are looking for new leads.

"The month of May will be crucial for the show as it will progress towards a new beginning. There will be immense high-voltage drama in the climax phase of the pre-leap story, which will end with the characters of Ranaji and Gayathri's exit. As per the story line, the couple will soon be shown consummating their marriage. And the eight years leap will start with the focus predominantly on their kids," Tellychakkar.com quoted a source as saying.

When Siddhant was asked about the leap and his exit from the show, he said he is not aware of the development, while Drashti remained unavailable for the comment.

Meanwhile, the makers have roped in Chetan Hansraj to play the antagonist post leap, Tellychakkar.com reported. The actor, who was last seen in "Jodha Akbar," will return to the small screen as the new king of Amerkot. Chetan confirmed the reports, but the actor refused to reveal details about his character.

"Tentatively titled as Kaal, Chetan's character will wreck havoc with his entry. The character will be introduced sometime this month, and will go on to play a vital part in the post leap story phase. The story ahead will focus on Ranaji and Gayatri's kids, and the kids of Kaal," a source told the entertainment portal.

While Chetan's entry will definitely give an interesting angle to the storyline, it remains to be seen whether viewers will be hooked to the show post Drashti-Siddhanth's exit.