'Curtains Close' for FOX TV; Kaali's future hangs in balance..

Certain creative differences between the two producers of Kaali has resulted in a fallout between them..

Published: Friday,Feb 18, 2011 17:55 PM GMT-07:00

Ranjini Nair

The buzz is that FOX TV is shutting their production venture in India, after suffering huge losses in the business.. For the uninitiated, FOX TV and Undercover Productions are jointly producing the issue based show on Star Plus, Kaali Ek Agnipareeksha.. And this means that FOX is withdrawing support from Kaali.

If sources are to be believed, there were huge creative differences between FOX and Undercover Productions, which resulted in a fallout between them. The buzz is also that FOX TV has incurred a loss of nearly 5 crores from Kaali.

An insider tells us, "There were lot of issues in the way the creative team functioned, and this resulted in huge production losses. As of now, the process of handing over of functionality to Mrinal Jha and Abhigyan Jha's Undercover Productions is going on. FOX will be moving out of the entire setup by 20th of this month. That means clearance of all kinds of dues has to be met by FOX before they get out of the picture".

If this is not enough, we hear that some actors have expressed their stern opinion that they would not be part of the show if FOX TV does not remain in the frame. This has yet again raised a question or two over the future of Kaali.

Our source further informs, "Kaali which was to end in February, has already got an extension of one month, and will now go on till March end or early April. However, if the smooth handing over does not happen, and if prime actors fail to continue, the show might see its end pretty soon".

However, actor Ashutosh Rana who is one of the pillars of the show remained clueless of such a development on the sets of Kaali. "I have had a great journey with both the production houses. As an actor, I have got creative satisfaction from Undercover Productions, and FOX TV gave me good financial commitment. And I am unaware of FOX moving out of the frame, as I got my cheque from them just yesterday".

Ask him whether he would like to continue with the show if FOX steps out, he says, "All I can say is that Kaali has got an extension and is on till March end".

When contacted, Producer Mrinal Jha told us, "Yes, FOX is stepping out, and the process of handing over is taking place as of now".

Ask Mrinal about the future of Kaali and she states, "The show was always meant to be a finite one".

Let's now wait to see whether the show has a smooth run from now on..

Reporter and Author: Srividya Rajesh