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Geetanjali Tikekar, Apo*na of Kasauti Zindagi Kay, is back to entertain the audiences. But this time, not as the villainous Apo*na but as Maya in Karam Apna Apna. Yes, she is back to being anything but a good girl. "Flamboyant, self-centered, attention seeking and always smiling, that's Maya." She lives in her father's house and is a typical bitchy nanad. Maya thinks that like sons, daughters too have equal rights to their parents' house and property. Behind her sweet smile is a smart tongue that's always waiting to mouth a few barbs. "When she speaks it is difficult to make out whether she is complimenting or insulting someone," says Geetanjali.

"Maya is a grey character unlike Apo*na who started off as a positive character and turned totally black," says the petite actress who admits that she loves portraying negative characters. "Positive roles have a slow journey and take long time to strike a chord with viewers. Negative roles get an instant response. Which is why I love Maya's character. She is bitchy, moody and swings between positive and negative."

Surprisingly, despite all the name and fame and good roles coming her way Geetanjali confesses that she is a misfit as an actress. "I feel out of place in front of the camera." That's probably because she would love to be a technician. Having done a course in cinematography and video formatting, Geetanjali feels she is cut out to be a cameraman and director. Movies aren't her scene either because she confesses that she can't dance.
Nobody will believe it, but apart from directing she also want to be a farmer! "We have land in Pune where my family lives. Some day I would like to do farming. At heart I am a farm girl."

Pooja Ruparel

Pooja Ruparel, Kajol's little sister in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge can now be seen in Baa Bahu or Baby. This lucky actress started her career with Shah Rukh Khan. He too starred in her first film King Uncle. Although she acted in the comedy show LOC — Life Out Of Control, Baa.. is her first full fledged soap on TV.

Talking about her role in Baa.. she says, "I am playing the role of a rich, talented, upright and righteous girl called Falguni who is an expert in sculptures. As the story progresses Falguni who is an acquaintance of Hemal will eventually become his love interest. When asked why she wasn't seen in any movie or serial for a long time she says, "I wanted to concentrate on my studies." But in between she did a couple of commercials for Kit-Kat, Surf Excel and Hajmola Candy. Now though we will get to see her regularly as the soap airs during the weekend.

Gunjan Vijaya

Gunjan Vijaya shifted to Mumbai one-and-half-years ago and then landed a role in Hare Kaanch Ki Choondiya. When her role came to an end Gunjan moved on to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi where she plays Mohini's daughter Archita. "Archita is the youngest in the new generation of characters and is loved by everyone. But she is scared of Bhoomi. I can't reveal the cause, but there is a definite reason for it," says Gunjan.

The actress has found her friends in co-actors Reshmi Ghosh, Mouni, Naman Shaw and Pulkit. The one thing they have in common is that they are all Bengalis. The actress will soon be seen in Balaji's Karbon Copy.

Rahul Jagtiani

Rahul Jagtiani auditioned for three shows which got delayed before he landed the part of Josh in Karam Apna Apna. Talking about his role he says, "I am playing Maya's (Geetanjali Tikekar) son and Mahen's nephew. Josh is into parties and womanising and he is always at the wrong place at the wrong time. His aim is to block Vivan's entry into the Kapoor family business," elaborates Rahul, adding further that Josh is a grey character. Josh is flamboyant and aggressive but Rahul is not. "I can identify with his flamboyance but by nature I am a bit shy and not too aggressive a person," says Rahul who studied in the US and worked in Washington DC before coming to India.

Karan Kapoor

Karan Kapoor who acted in Ram Gopal Verma's Sarkar wanted to work in serials. "Unless you have prominent roles in films you don't get noticed. Besides you don't have more than one or two releases in a year. But on TV you are seen everyday," reasons the young actor who gave as many as 60 auditions for Balaji Telefilms. Ekta didn't disappoint him although at some stage Karan must have got tired of giving audition after audition.

"No I didn't get disappointed. I think it was part of the job till I landed a role in a Balaji show," says Karan who plays Prasanjeet in Karam Apna Apna. "I am playing the son of a big socialite (Sugna, played by Roopa Ganguli) and writer who is famous for writing on scandalous and taboo subjects. She lives on her own terms and wishes the same for her children. She gives them the freedom to grow as individuals and make their own personal identities. Pransanjeet has studied in London where he met his love interest Palak. All in all it's an interesting role," says the happy actor.

Balaji serials have always been known for their extravagance but now it seems the extravagance is reaching new levels. It's been reported that a whopping Rs 70 lakhs have been spent on the sets just for a two-day shoot of the ambitious daily Karam Apna Apna.Sources close to Balaji Telefilms have confirmed the news. The production team has also highlighted the lavish budget spent.

"We used lots of variations while designing the sets like Salil Ankola's house. He is playing a business tycoon. So we wanted to give his house a modern look along with simplicity. Speaking of locations in Kolkota, we shot in different places like Victoria Memorial, Rajbari Palace etc," informs Smita, official set designer of Balaji Telefilms. "We shot at Rajbari because it has the look of a typical Bengali house, very ancestral and charming. We rented that location for our shoot but I have no idea about the cost incurred. While working with Balaji, we are allowed to use our ideas without worrying about the cost effectiveness. Balaji never compromises on the cost factor," concludes Smita.

Balaji people might be allowed to think lavishly, but not talk about it as was evident from the fact that no one was ready to confirm the cost. "I can say that the sets are very beautiful and I enjoyed working. I still feel like going back to Kolkata. But I have no idea about the cost of the sets, its better you speak to the production guys," says Pallavi Subhash — lead actress of the serial.   ;   ;