Ekta boycotts Sony party

Page

Next Last

Anoli

@Anoli

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

Ekta boycotts Sony party
By: Upala KBR and Shaheen Parkar
October 24, 2005

Ekta Kapoor

On Saturday, hitList reported that Kkusum was left out of the invitations for Sony's 10th anniversary bash.

The card, which celebrated shows like Fame Gurukul, Hum Do Hain Naa, Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Yeh Meri Life Hai, Indian Idol, CID and Ye Meri Life Hai, did not include Balaji's four-year-old prime- time show, Kkusum, in the 10 reasons to celebrate.

Apart from this, Kkusum is now being relegated to the 7.30 pm slot from today.

Shobha, Ekta miffed

Sony's 10th anniversary bash was held on October 22 at Grand Hyatt, Vakola, but Ekta and her mother Shobha Kapoor were conspicuous by their absence.

A source from Balaji admitted, "Ekta is very upset about Kkusum being kept out of the Sony anniversary celebrations.

She has given Sony some great, successful serials like Ghar Ek Mandir and Kkusum, and she feels slighted. They included serials like Hum Do Hain Na (off air now) and Yeh Meri Life Hai…. She and Shobhaji stayed away from the bash; the office and Ekta's technical team also didn't attend."

However Ekta's serial, Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hain, was included in the invite. The Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai cast was performing, so they attended the party.

Sony's olive branch

We hear Sony tried to make amends when they realised Ekta was upset.

"Yes they did. The next day, after the invites were dispatched, Sony sent a cake and flowers to the Balaji office. Senior officials also called and explained that the omission was a mistake, but by then, it was too late."

But, maybe it wasn't a boycott, and Ekta was just too busy to attend? "No way! She always makes it a point to attend the parties hosted by channels that air her shows. She has attended all Sony parties in the past."

When contacted, Ekta preferred a "No comments" reply. Despite numerous attempts to contact him, Tarun Katiyal of Sony TV remained unavailable for comment.

upala@mid-day.com
shaheen@mid-day.com

Kkusum cast asked to stay away

It is learnt that Balaji asked the Kkusum cast to skip the Sony bash. The actors received calls on Saturday evening from the Balaji office, asking them not to attend.

Apparently, some of the Kkusum cast members were asked to walk the ramp at the party, which had performances by actors from their various shows. Abhay (Anuj Saxena) was asked to do a bit of compering. But all these last-minute plans did not materialise, as the actors stayed away.

Kkusum actors who were spotted at the event were Abhay (Anuj Saxena), Chachi (Usha Bachani) and Chacha (Pratim Parekh). It is understood that Saxena was there representing his production house, Maverick. Kkusum (Shilpa Saklani) did not attend, citing health reasons.

Take Care

Anoli

xxx