Ali Merchant, Sara Khan's boyfriend

Ali Merchant, Sara Khan's boyfriend, is upset with what's happening in Bigg Boss' house. Sara seems to be crying on Ashmit Patel's shoulder about her relationship... so what does Ali have to say about this? Lisa Antao asks the actor. (And, by the way, there seems something fishy.

Actor Ali Merchant has done a number of shows including Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Ssssh Koi Hai, Amber Dhara, Mano Ya Na Mano, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Do Hanson Ka Jodaa. But right now it's not his work that's in focus, but his personal life. Basically, his relationship with actress Sara Khan, which has become the talk of the town ever since Sara entered the Bigg Boss' house.

From day one Sara is hinting at the fact that all is not well between her and Ali (remember the first time she told fellow-contestant Ashmit Patel?) and the other day she even tore photographs of the two together. That's come as quite a revelation because the two have been dating for a while and are even engaged to be married sometime soon. This apart from the fact that they are business partners in a couple of ventures that they've started together. BT spoke to Ali about his relationship with Sara and the entire fiasco. Here's what he had to say...

Ali admits he has been watching Bigg Boss and he is upset about the way their relationship is being portrayed on national television. "I've been having sleepless nights as I'm being hounded by the media regarding this issue. Every relationship has its ups and downs. But we don't have any any major issues as such. We often party together, attend social do's, eat out and have a rocking time. We did have some familial differences because I'm a Shia Muslim and Sara's a Sunni Muslim. But these are minor issues which come up. Otherwise our relationship is very strong. Sara's facing emotional issues because the show can be very emotionally taxing." About Sara tearing up their photographs, he says, "I am a very calm and understanding guy. I recorded the show and watched it four to five times and if you closely see, Sara carefully tore our picture into half, she did not tear up or damage my photo. Honestly, I do feel bad that she is on national television and discussing about our personal stuff and tearing photographs... it is not right. But at the same time I cannot blame her because she could be emotionally and mentally distressed being on the show. The other people are curious about her life and she is a person who wears her heart on her sleeve and speaks what's on her mind. She is not politically correct like the others and so she's being taken undue advantage of and she's unaware of this," says the protective boyfriend.

Love and marriage
Ali say, "We have been seeing each other for around three-and-a-half years now. And yes, we are engaged. Currently both of us are busy with our respective careers, but we will tie the knot in a year's time." He says he loves Sarah for the person that she is. "Sarah is an innocent girl, very masoom. But at the same time she is a strong independent woman. She's one in a million! I love everything about her. I'm 25 and she's 21. We have grown up together as individuals and careerwise too."

Sara-Ashmit closeness
Sara seems to be getting close to Ashmit on the show and that's surely a cause for worry for Ali, but he has another take on this. "Sara is a very friendly person and gets along well with everyone on the show. But her footage with Ashmit is specially being highlighted in a bid to create extra masala to spice up the show to increase the TRPs. Also, Sara must be very emotionally distressed and that's why she needs someone to speak to. She talks to Ashmit as a friend but the situation is being portrayed as something else altogether," he says.

Does he feel threatened by Ashmit? "I am 200 per cent sure that nothing is happening between them. Ashmit should listen to Sara as a friend, but not make any judgements on our relationship because he doesn't know me. He should back off and not meddle in other people's matters. He should stop playing games and not mess up someone's relationship because it can have serious repercussions on one's family and friends. Our relationship is pure and things will definitely smoothen when Sara gets back from the show."

Something fishy?
Is Ali hoping that Sara gets eliminated from the show soon so they could mend the problems, if any, in their relationship? "No, no, I am hoping that I get to enter the show through a wild-card entry." Hmmm... now that reply is making us suspicious. So, is Ali actually going to enter the house soon, we wonder. And is all of this Ali-Sara-Ashmit drama just a part of a well-scripted plan? Let's wait and watch.