Jaya TV's popular 'Jackpot' to go on without Kushboo

Chennai, May 16 (IANS) Jaya TV, backed by Tamil Nadu's opposition AIADMK, has dumped Kushboo from its hugely popular show 'Jackpot' after the actress joined the ruling DMK, but the channel officials say the show will go on.

'Talks are on with a couple of probable anchors. The show will resume soon. The new anchor will be an apolitical person,' a Jaya TV official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Perhaps that rules out actress Simran who had earlier campaigned for the AIADMK.

Both Kushboo and Jaya TV have literally lost a jackpot.

The loss is higher for Jaya TV as it has to forego the payment made to the actress for 18 episodes already shot which now stand scrapped.

'The 400th episode was slated for May 30. It is certainly a popular programme. The stoppage will result in a financial loss for Jaya TV as it will not get the money from the sponsors,' the official said.

Queried about Kushboo's statement that she has not been intimated about the contract cancellation, the official said: 'She too could have told us about her decision to join the DMK party on Friday itself.'

According to the official, Kushboo was supposed to sign a contract for acting in a Jaya TV serial Friday afternoon.

'The discussions were held that morning and she was supposed to sign the agreement that afternoon. However, there was no intimation from her nor she came to office to sign the agreement,' the TV channel official said.

On her part, Kushboo has said that she expected such a move from Jaya TV after joining the DMK.

Kushboo was in a spot after she expressed a positive view on pre-marital sex in an interview to a magazine.

Several cases were filed against her and recently the Supreme Court came to her rescue, dismissing all the cases.