There seems to be an open war between Nach Baliye 9 contestant Vishal Aditya Singh and Madhurima Tuli. While the latter had blasted the former for his open attack on her during the inaugural episode, the former regards it as him just being truthful.

“Being an ex-Jodi, we were obviously asked what went wrong between us, and I am not someone who will try to soften things up. Society always tries to brush undesirable facts under the carpet, but the whole world anyway knows about it.” The couple had come together in Colors show, Chandrakanta.

“Last but not the least, I always speak from my heart and not my head, which conjures up conspiracies,” says this actor, who first got name and fame as Lakhan in &TV show, Begusarai.

“Here I will admit that the concept of having exes in the mix was shocking for a while; I too was stumped. But I guess, if both exes are good people, they can eschew the past and perform well on stage. Also, maybe some couple can get back together as well. All in all, it is a good learning for both, couples and ex-jodis,” says Vishal, whose last fiction outing was Kullfi Kumarr Baajewala.

“Also, this is not the first time exes have worked together. There are several such examples in fiction. But yes, it is the first time an ex-couple has come together as a jodi in a nonfiction show.”

“The best part is that this format provides scope for ample masala,” added he.

We guess you gave measure of that in first the episode. “I will not call my straight-speaking as spice. Rather, you can call it garnishing. I did not say anything just to get attention. But again, everybody is entitled to his/her own opinion.”

Interestingly, this straight-talker refused to comment on what really made them so bitter towards each other.

We then shifted gears to Anita Hassanandani and Rohit Reddy’s absence from last weekend’s fray due to the latter falling prey to jaundice. Was it unfair to other contestants that one Jodi got a free pass despite not performing?

“I don’t think I am being short—changed. Everybody deserves a second chance. We are a small family and anybody can get sick. Just because you can’t perform for some reason (and Rohit is unwell), I don’t think they should be sent home. Agreed, this is a competition where everybody wants to win, yet we should not lose our humanity.”

But does this not seem to be according special privilege to them? “Anita, being a big industry name, deserves it, as her fans want to see her back in the fray.”

If down the road you get ill, will you get the same treatment? “How can I say about me? It would be better if you ask Anita and her hubby, how they would react then.”