Article:Another parting shot...

W inning at an award function has turned sour for creative direc- tor Ektaa Kapoor and her long- time trusted director Anil V Kumar. Balaji Telefilms bagged many awards at the first Sansui Awards, held a month ago, in Mumbai. In the popular cate- gory, it took home the Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Serial (Producer) and Best Director trophies. Yash Chouhan and Talat Jani, who are currently han- dling Kasamh Se (Zee), won in the Best Director category . It was this nomination that created bad blood between Anil V Kumar and Ektaa Kapoor. It's widely known that Kumar was the director who devised Kasamh Se. The exclusion of his name from the nomination was the starting point of the conflict. It seems he confronted Kapoor and asked why she had- n't given him his dues for direct- ing the serial and contributing to it in the initial stages. Kapoor had nominated Kumar's name for Karam Apna Apna in the Jury Awards for Best Director. B.P Singh, the director of CID (Sony) won the award in that category . Apparently, Kumar had a major showdown with his boss and returned to work a dejected man. It seems Kumar's anger reflected in his work and one day he left midway while shoot- , ing an important scene for Kayamath (Star Plus). The scene marked the entry of Shabbir Ahluwlalia. Kapoor heard of this and fired Kumar for unprofessional behaviour. He claimed that he'd make it on his own talent and left in a huff. He confirmed the news that he is no longer a part of Balaji Telefilms. "You have the facts right but I'm not going to say anything against Ektaa," he stated Does he attribute his growth as a professional and success to Balaji Telefilms? To that, he conceded, "I was a spot boy who joined this industry in 1992. It was a chance meeting with Ektaa at Shirdi that gave me the opportunity to work with the team. I owe everything to Bala- ji. Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (Star Plus) was the first serial that I directed." This was followed by Kkusum, Kahiin Toh Hoga, Karam Apna Apna, Kayamath and the movie Kuch Toh Hai, among many others. Like all drop-outs from Bala- ji, Kumar too, has met Sony's creative head Sandiip Sik- cand. It seems that he has been offered the direction of Jeete Hain Jiske Liye. A source informs that Kumar has regretted his behaviour and has apologised to Kapoor. Kumar said, "I wouldn't like to say anything. I should announce my next venture in a month's time." Meanwhile, Kapoor said, "Anil is still with us. I haven't fired him. He's one of our most talented directors." Is this the end of a seven-year association or is there a patch- up in the offing? usha.thomas@hindustantimes.com