Ali Merchant back in Yeh Rishta..

Rituraj aka Ali Merchant who was the first love of Akshara is back in Star Plus' Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai..

Remember the character of Rituraj, played by Ali Merchant who was the first guy in Akshara aka Hina Khan's life in Star Plus' Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, produced by Rajan Shahi. The actor essayed a cameo role earlier wherein he succeeded in bringing out the feelings of love in Akshara. And now when Akshara is all set for marriage with Naitik (Karan Mehra), her first love reappears!! Yes, you heard it right!! Ali Merchant is back in Yeh Rishtha, and this brings a new twist in the tale!! According to our source, "Engagement preparations are on when we see the reappearance of Rituraj. This gives rise to a complex situation as he happens to be the first guy in the life of Akshara. She will go thro' all the troubled moments upon seeing him, and the fact that Naitik is not aware of Rituraj and Akshara's earlier relationship will add on to the situation". Earlier, Rituraj and Akshara had seen each other, and the alliance was almost finalized, when the guy decided to call it off, as he was not convinced with Akshara's desire to seek a future in singing. Will Rituraj's comeback create a problem in the relationship of Naitik and Akshara? What role will Rituraj have to play in such a situation? Keep watching the show to know more..

Ali to enter Ye Rishta Kya Kehlaata Hai

Ali Merchant is all set to enter Ye Rishta Kya Kehlaata Hai (Star Plus) tonight as Akshara's dream guy.

Describing his role, Merchant says, "I play Rituraj, a businessman who is very honest and understated in his nature. He is helpful and holds immense respect for elders. He is the perfect match for Akshara."Merchant's really wanted to work with this particular production house- Director's Kut. That was the main reason he took up this offer. He says, "I don't usually take up cameos because I am not comfortable with the production. But here, I know the entire unit and they are like family. Rajanji has always been very sweet. He called me for the role in mid-Jan and I simply couldn't refuse. I am the only person for whom they had a separate room."The actor says his look in Ye Rishta… will be poles apart from his personal style. "My look is very different from what I actually am! I'll be a clean-shaven, formally-clothed guy with a generic hairstyle. In real life, I am very funky when it comes to dressing."Talk of how he resembles his character, Merchant says, "In all ways perhaps except the look. I have all the qualities of Rituraj but it is our style of dressing that sets us apart."According to Merchant, the role will be a cameo of five episodes and there will be a major twist that emerges with his exit. He says, "It will be love at first sight for Akshara and Rituraj but their marriage won't take place because of some obstacles. Therein lies the major twist." So, is there a chance Rituraj comes back to Akshara's life after she marries another suitor? To this, Ali replies, "I have no clue about that. As of now, I've wrapped up with my shooting."

Ali Merchant to launch 'AlSara'....

Ali Merchant is all set to get into construction business, and will launch his project which is named 'AlSara' in April...

Ali Merchant who was last seen in 9X' Rubii has suddenly gotten busy after lying low for few months. The actor who is all set to enter as the new lead in Sahara One's Ghar Ek Sapna is planning to expand his avenues to construction business too. The young lad who is basically from a business oriented family now plans to construct buildings. "This project of mine will be named 'AlSara' which is got by combining my name and Sara's name", quips Ali. "I have spacious land areas at Neral, which is near Matheran. I am going to Matheran next week to finalize things. I plan to launch my project somewhere in April. I will be inviting all my friends - Jatin, Priya, Jay basically my entire gang, and will be inviting media too", adds the actor. When asked whether the actor will build corporate firms, he quips, "No, there is a high demand for colleges there, and I plan to make one for the people there".

Ali Merchant in the Firing Line...

Describe your self in one word: Child-like

The Quality you look for in your Ideal Mate:

Values

One Accessory you always have with you:

A blue turquoise that I wear around my neck.

A song always on your lips:

Currently, Pehli Nazar from the movie Race.

One Indian TV show you love: Left Right Left and Remix.

Three Things you cannot live without: Credit Cards, Family and Friends.

Best Pick-up line that has been used on you, or by you:

Well, I used to pick up lines in college, but not any more. I didn’t really have any in particular. Now a days, girls come to me saying that they have seen me somewhere, and after a few moments they come up again, stating that they saw me in Amber Dhara…

Any particular incident that has left you in shock:

Actually there was one incident when I was clubbing, a girl came up to me, and introduced her self and gave me her room number and asked me to meet her there. I was in a complete state of shock as nothing like that had happened to me before. (Blushes)

Your Biggest Strength:

When I meet people, I generally focus on their positive qualities and ignore their negative ones.

Favorite Movie Dialogue: I actually love revamping movie dialogues. For example, the dialogue in Sholay, ‘Kitne Aadmi The’, the reply should have been ‘Sarkar, sab Aurtein Thi’, or ‘Suvar Ke Bacche’ the reply should be – ‘Jee Papa’ (laughs)

If not an actor, you would have been:

I would have been a director.

Your favorite hang-out place: Jay, Jatin and I used to hang out at our friend Shakti’s place and have our in-house parties. I’m a complete in-house party freak.
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Sara-n-Ali head for vacation

The prolonged TV strike has come as a blessing in disguise for actress Sadhana AKA Sara Khan, who finally managed to find time to visit her family back home in Bhopal. Sara decided to head to Bhopal along with her beau Ali Merchant, who took this opportunity to meet Sara’s family and spend time with them.

Based on insiders, Ali is trying his best to bond with Sara’s family as he is planning a family picnics for the kids and a shopping spree for the ladies of the house. Ali shared from Bhopal, “When we were out boating we were mobbed by fans and had to call for security personnel. It is fun being with Sara and her family in Bhopal.”
So while ‘Bidaai’ fans continue to see re-runs on the tube, Sara is away in Bhopal fulfilling her ‘Babul Ka Sapna’ of spending quality time with his star daughter before her ‘Bidaai’ to Mumbai.

I frequently pamper myself, says Ali Merchant

Fitness plays a major role in our lives; staying fit and healthy has become essential these days and the pressure is on for celebrities. Staying in shape is a must for those in the public eye – so, it is time to see what they are doing to win the battle of the bulge. For our Tellywatch column on fitness, Ali Merchant talks about fitness and healthy living.My workout regime…I work out five days a week for an hour each day and if I have the time, I work out twice a day. I alternate between cardio and weights. I concentrate on two body parts each day.My daily diet…I start my day with 30ml of Aloe Vera juice, which tastes really bad. Then I have cornflakes with a sugar free sachet. Then I take protein chocolates, some roasted stuff and dry fruits. I avoid rice completely, so I take chapattis without oil for lunch with some dal and stuff. I also take a protein shake and avoid dinner. This pattern works best for my body and I mostly stick to this diet. Of course, I let myself go easy on holidays.On a rainy day, my idea of a workout would be…I like to take it a little easy by just giving a workout to my legs. I also would like to take my girlfriend for a long drive.My idea of relaxation…going to a spa and pampering myself completely. I frequently take body massages.Size zero to you is…it is just a trend. It is a concept of being the thin, thinner, thinnest kind. It means spoiling your health slowly. I crave for…cakes, ice cream, caramel popcorn, prawns, galaxy chocolate. I also crave a smoke at times although I have almost quit smoking. A lifestyle change I’m trying to make…I want to avoid clubbing, which I am trying to do. The reason is because I am quite tired of it and my sleep gets affected.Fitness mantra…just focus on what you are working out. Don’t look for changes in your body frequently. Do so only when people identify changes in you, which can motivate you a lot.

Ali Merchant on a ‘car’ousel

Ali Merchant who is currently seen in Zee Next’s Ek Thi Rajkumari is on cloud nine these days. He has recently bought a new car a Diacor and is pretty excited about it.
“Well I bought the car just last night. I wanted to have a nice and big car since very long and I finally have one,” says Ali.
So why a Diacor? “Diacor is a big car which consists of a microwave cum fridge and there is enough space behind where I can rest. Well currently I’m shooting for only one show so I have time to go home and relax at home. But soon I’ll be taking another show so then I’m very sure that there won’t be enough time to even sleep so I’ll make this car my mini home,” he chirps.
“Besides that it’s a big car. Even I like to be on top thus this goes with my dreams of making it big,” he adds.
What about the new project you are referring to? “Well nothing has been finalised as yet. I can only reveal details by mid of June,” he states.
And Ali is not content with just one car he also dreams of buying a Sedan soon.