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There was naach, gaana, masti and khana. Telly actor Karan Patel (Kavyanjali) celebrated his birthday at Zaha, The Leela, on Wednesday night. In attendance was Ekta Kapoor who could not stop grinning from ear-to-ear (look at her pic alongside).

Making a rare appearance were Kiran Karmarkar with wife Rinku (who rocked to the music) besides Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan, Manasi Varma, Hiten Paintal, Kishwar Merchant, Anita Hasannandani, Tina Parakh and several other small screen stars. Here's a dekho of who did what, at the party.

A popular face on television, actress Achint Kaur who came in front of the camera by fluke has come a long way since then. A state level champion in athletics at one time, this pretty actress has since moved onto more creative pursuits. From her award-winning performance in Saaya to her latest serial Kittie Party, she has been appreciated for her realistic acting and arresting looks. And now, Achint is all set to move to Bollywood with some interesting roles. She shares her career plans in this interview with Sify.

Actually it's been seven years since I got into television. Acting happened by fluke and I just gotswept away by the wave of offers. And after Saaya there was no looking back for me even though I have been slotted in a western image.

It has been very annoying for me because I know I can portray traditional characters too. But the industry has always offered me modern roles, which have had very western characteristics. I have been the classic case of getting slotted in an industry where everyone follows a herd mentality. My looks have been slotted as those of a typical independent business lady and everyone just sees me in that image.

Honestly, in the last three years, the standards of Indian television have degraded very badly. Television has become nothing but a factory-unit churning out episodes day in and out. And that is not the way I want to work. I don't enjoy being a part of anything that doesn't excite me as an artiste.

After years of doing TV, I wanted to make a shift to movies and when I was offered roles I grabbed them. My first release was Om Jai Jagadish where I played the builder's fiance. It was a good character role, which I enjoyed doing. My next film is Sur where I play the role of a hyper active chief executive of a music company. Again, it was a nice experience doing that film. So, if I continue getting interesting roles in movies, I will definitely take them on alongside my television work. But even if it is just a small role in a film, it must be a good character that stands out on its own.

Of course I will continue acting on television. TV has been my first love so I will try to balance both movies and serials. Right now I am doing Dhadkan, Kiitie Party and Ravi Rai's serial where I play a woman obsessed with a man. Luckily, I have never had to beg for work on TV, as work has always come to me. So, as long as I continue getting good roles, I will go on acting.

I am looking forward to getting married to my fianc Mohan Kapur early next year. But before that we want to buy a house together. Otherwise things are cool, I spend as much time I get with my son (she was married earlier) or just chill at home, cooking or just relaxing.

At 25, she's achieved more than people twice her age. An achiever like her father, screen legend Jeetendra, Ektaa Kapoor rules the small screen today. With over 20 serials on air currently, she's the queen of the soaps. But Ektaa isn't happy with her success yet. She wants more and hence, she's ventured into bigger business. Film Production is her new passion and the ambitious and pushy youngster is all set to take over Bollywood as well. Her company, Balaji Films is flying high already and Ektaa is all set to reach further heights. In this chat, she talks about her journey so far and shares her dreams with Sify.

A film is like a baby who you have to care for till it reaches the audience. So, in a way I am relieved but I am happier that we managed to make a clean entertainer. The audience has appreciated the film so it feels good that all our hard work has paid off.

I have always believed in keeping the masses happy. And so, David suited that bill most. Govinda and his combination has seldom gone wrong in the past and so I decided on their pair, since I wanted my first film to be safe and not lose money.

Because we all felt that Govinda suited the role of a lawyer more than my brother. But I'd love only to cast Tusshar in my films if I could, as he's good.

Honestly, it doesn't matter who the heroine is in a David-Govinda film. Also, I felt that Sushmita was very hot after that song in Fiza. As far as Rambha goes, hers was a special appearance, and not many actresses would have wanted to do that role, so we took her. Also, the masses love Rambha.

Liar Liar inspired the film but it was not a direct copy. We did make some changes (laughs). Also, we all felt that it was a perfect film for Govinda. Tell me, how many original films are made these days?

It's just that I am a very direct person and not many like that. I want the goods delivered at any cost and that makes people say that I am a tough cookie.

KSBKBT is still on top of the TRP ratings, so I don't care who comes in or who goes out of the serial. As long as people are engrossed in it and like the serial, I am happy. Also, I feel that after Ketaki Dave left the show, the ratings haven't fallen. No one person makes or breaks such a program. The response we get today is still the same, only now the focus has shifted on tothe Mihir-Tulsi-Mandira triangle. I am very sure that the soap will have a very long innings.

My family is involved in every department. Mom handles finances, dad looks into future plans and I am involved in the creative aspects of the company. I enjoy that most.

I'm thankful to god for everything. Also, I am lucky that I had such supportive parents. I feel good that my efforts have been appreciated but believe me, there is a long way ahead. This is just the beginning.

Aman is just an actor on my show. We are bound to know each other, since we work together. I don't want to say anything more.

Actress Nutan's good-looking son, Mohnish Behl may have been around for nearly two decades but he still looks as fresh as a newcomer even today. Even though his film career may have not soared as high as was expected, the talented actor is content. And now, after so many years of doing films, he finally switches over to the small screen with a new hourly soap, Sanjivani. In this exclusive interview, the handsome actor talks about the new path he's chosen. Tread along with him……

I haven't shifted fulltime to television. See, these days I don't feel that there is much of a difference between films and Television. Everyone seems to be doing TV. If a big star like Mr. Bachchan can do TV, why can't-I? Even actresses like Sonali Bendre and Manisha Koirala have done television, so it no longer matters. That line of demarcation between both films and TV is gone today.

That's not true. In the last few years, I have worked with makers like Sooraj Barjatya and Mahesh Manjrekar in their films. Besides, I have also done many mainstream commercial Hindi films, so its not that I did not have work. See, Sanjivani is being made by Cinevista, and Prem Kishen (its owner) and me go back a long way. I know him since we were in school, so when he asked me to do the serial, I couldn't say no. Besides, I have a pivotal role in the hospital drama, which replaces KBC on prime time, so I couldn't have asked for a better entry into television.

Sanjivani is a serial that looks closely at the lives and relationships between doctors. It is set against the backdrop of a hospital. I play the role of an idealist doctor, Dr Shashank Gupta, whose tragic past has turned him into a caring and sensitive doctor. I am a loner in the serial and remain single throughout. As an actor, this is the meatiest role I have got in my entire career. There are also four young interns in the series, who look up to me, as I am a senior doctor.

Frankly, I am enjoying it very much. Besides me, there are other senior actors including Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Rajiv Verma in the show as well. We all gel well and it's been a picnic on the sets. The atmosphere is very lively and we all rehearse together at times. See, in films, you get restricted as a character as it is only for three hours, but here, there will be a lot of growth as the serial progresses so it should be exciting.

I did think about it but once I heard the script and my role, I was sure that I wanted to do it. I made my debut in films almost 20 years back and since then, I have always taken risks and done diverse roles. I haven't really cared about whether or not it would affect my image. So, I have no qualms about doing Television because as long as it is quality work, nothing else matters.

My mother was a big actress, so it was expected that I too would be a superstar. But in life, things happen their own way. I am thankful that at least I am here even 20 years after I started off. I still get a Hum Saath Saath Hain and Astitva even today. I always feel that it is my mother's blessings that have brought me so far in life. You have to be happy with what you have achieved rather than mope for what you haven't.

Shweta Kwatra got into acting by chance. She was a Delhi based ramp model before she came down to Mumbai looking for a break in the fashion world. Lady Luck played her tricks and chose instead to direct her into the world of histrionics - on the small screen. The serial Suhana Safar aired on Zee marked her debut in serials and was followed by serials like Yeh Kahan Aagaye Hum and Darr. She shifted to Mumbai city from Delhi after signing up more daily serials like Ghar Ek Mandir and Bandhan. Her role in Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki had viewers glued to the TV episode after episode. We meet up with Shweta on the sets of Kkusum. Excerpts from the interview…

Before coming to Bombay, I was modeling in Delhi, where I did a lot of ramp. Thanks to Hemant Trivedi and Lubna Adams, I came to Bombay for the Femina Look of the Year in 1995. It was early days, but I was quite sure I had found the one thing I really like to do, and that was acting. It was very different from modeling because modeling was getting too monotonous -- I had done it for almost 4 years, and in ramp shows all you've got to remember is when to smile, when to turn, when not to turn, etc. I've been acting for the past five years, and have been determined to make it as an actress.

No, nothing! But I knew that I had a natural flair for acting, and that acting was the one thing I really and truly wanted to do! So even when, in the middle, there were very lean patches like no role in a serial on air, I told my folks at home, "Don't worry about me! I'll survive on pilots alone if I have to, but I'm not quitting!" I was pretty determined. It's that feeling when you know something is going to happen!

Hmmm yes -- Esha! I worked a lot on Esha's role because after Pallavi, this girl is not negative; she still has willpower enough to stop herself from getting involved with a married man. Esha is chirpy, a girl of her own will. Before I did Kahani… not too many people had seen me around so they had this image of me. Kusum's role helped me really break the barrier.

Yes, that's something I'm really enjoying!

It's very nice. A very an interesting concept, very filmi, very Bollywood, so definitely the kind of stuff that everyone would like to watch and know about.

I'd always wanted to make it look really sporty… Indo-Western… yeah, I was thinking a lot of Indo-western something's, you know… something with a lot of bangles, oxidized stuff… casual and comfortably, but also stylishly different.

Well, I've been getting offers, but unless I feel very strongly about a role, like 'Wow! Yes, I want to do this!' I won't. Because if I take even one wrong step, I'll go out of TV too! I know I have been doing pretty well for myself here. So let's see if something good comes up I will take it up - but I'm in no hurry to do films.

She's the vamp of the small screen. As Avantika in Balaji's 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki' and Anu in 'Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand', she's one of the prettiest evil women on the tube today. But in real life Sweta Keswani is a far cry from the roles she portrays on screen. An ambitious actress, she wants to make it big but without compromising on her values and ethics. In this interview to Sify, she talks about her passion - acting and says that she would love to do Bollywood films given a fair deal. Read on.

No, I was never scared of getting branded because as an actress, its my job to play diverse roles. Also, I knew that the role of Avantika in 'KGGK' would slowly turn positive when I took up the out and out negative role in Aruna Irani's 'DMNHC'. Though I am playing a totally evil and scheming bitch in 'DMNHC', my role of Avantika has turned positive, so I get to enact both- a good bahu and a plotting character in both my serials.

I was fed up of anchoring only film-based shows. All I was supposed to do was put on a fake accent and a daft expression while I had to say all those gossipy things. The channels wanted me to put on an act and I could not handle it, as I was fed-up. So, when I started getting roles, I preferred to get on with acting, as I enjoy that to VJ'ing.

Avantika realized that at the end of the day, she had to live with her family. So slowly she started getting on with them when she realized that they were nice to her. Also, I guess she started imbibing Parvati's positive traits and values being for so long in the same house.

Never, how can I? Anu's character is too negative to identify with. Similarly Avantika's character initially was too evil and I am not at all like that in real life. If I ever had problems living in a joint family, I would just move out instead of doing such nasty things. But I guess, in family social dramas on TV, such melodrama is required.

I have never had a problem with them. They have never been unreasonable with me till date. I agree they pay less than others but at least they pay on time unlike other makers. Take for instance, a Ravi Rai who still hasn't paid me my money after so many months. Balaji serials have made so many unknown faces into national stars that I don't think anyone can really complain about them.

I would love to do Hindi films but only if I am offered a decent role. Also, I will never sleep with a filmmaker for a role, as it would be completely against my grain as a person. Right now, I have really good roles on TV, so I will not do inconsequential roles in movies. I would rather wait for something solid to come my way than sign up something in a hurry now and regret later.

Sakshi almost becomes that incredulous struggler again who can't believe what's happening to her.

The Delhi-born actress, Saakshi Talwar, never planned to become an actress and she still insists that she will one day study psychology. Happily unmarried, she is one of the busiest stars on the small screen and asserts that her work is her companion right now. In this interview, she talks about her rise to fame as the country's best-loved bahu. 'Kahani Sakshi Talwar Ki'...

Parvati is so sweet that she makes modern Indian women sick, yet surprisingly many Indian women want desperately to be like her. When people watched me on television every night the women often cried in empathy and the men basked in the desire for a wife like Parvati. Elderly women looked at their modern 'bahus' and gave meaningful glances to suggest that they should be more like Parvati. Everywhere I went, my fans were shocked at the picture I was helping to project of a perfect Indian woman. They thought I was ruining a woman's chance of being independent and taking them back to the 18th century. But still, everyone loved my character and finally that's what matters the most.

A large majority of Indian women have a passionate love-hate relationship with Parvati's persona. Many women who are extremely unhappy after choosing to be assertive, independent and self-reliant, say that they're dying to be like Parvati- strong but completely submissive to the family and to Indian traditions. Parvati is incredibly idealistic. She does not even condemn or expose those who commit premeditated evil acts. She covers up for them, makes excuses and suffers herself rather than jeopardize their comforts. That's what appeals to everyone.

No, Sometimes I used to wonder how such a woman could exist. She's not faultless yet everyone sees her as pure. In today's times, no sensible woman can be like her. I myself would work for everyone's happiness, but not at the cost of my own happiness and peace of mind. It is equally important for me to be fulfilled and contented. I cannot cover up the wrongs of others and suffer the consequences of their misdemeanors. I am ambitious, sometimes defiant and hardworking. I don't see anything wrong in being the way I am. Parvati is so cloyingly sweet that I would now welcome the role of a rebel. Parvati is my last and only role as the unreal Indian woman.

'Sansar' was a weekly on Zee and I enjoyed playing the role of a young NRI girl suffering from cancer. It was a fabulous role of a woman (who later recovered) who wanted to live her life her own way, after she realized that no one stood by her when she was down and dying. Unfortunately the serial had to be stopped, as the TRP ratings were low. But then, I would only blame that on the bad time slot it had.

Initially, I thought that it was a mythological role, but later I realized that the character of Gayatri in 'Devi' had many shades to it. I took on the serial because of the banner and also because I wanted to work with Mohnish Behl. Also, I was being portrayed as a young girl, unlike 'Kahani...' where I was shown 10 years older than I actually am. And working on the serial has been good as everyone associated with the serial has a lot of enthusiasm and spirit about what they are making.

I was brought up and educated in Delhi and went to a mass communications college for higher qualifications, after which I appeared for the IAS examination. Acting was never planned though I did do some theatre in college. My family lives in Alwar, Rajasthan. I come from a staunchly traditional and religious Rajput family. But there's space for everyone. I am under no pressure to marry or settle down. I am fairly clear about what kind of woman I wish to be. My life has been value-based, slightly old-fashioned and I am not yet convinced enough to change. I am modern but would like to examine options before I change to different persona. I can never be a real life Parvati. But I do respect the values given to me by my parents.

I want to pursue a course in psychology. I am very good with people, especially kids, so I might just do something with them. But as of now, I have no concrete plan. As for settling in marriage, it will happen when it has to. I am not going to take any initiative on that front. I have never been lucky in love till now, so I will just let it be and let love happen to me when it has to.