Article:Caught in the Crossfire

T here are many actors who work for both Balaji Tele- films and Ugraya Enter- tainment. They are owned by Ektaa Kapoor and Smriti Z Iraani respectively. Apara Mehta, the saas in Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi for six years, says, "I am sen- ior to both Ektaa and Smriti. No one can take the credit for making me. I don't think they will ever put me in a situation to choose between them." Mehta is currently doing Uragya's Viruddh and Balaji's Karam Apna Apna. She adds, "I have been a witness to many simi- lar situations. I believe in being a silent spectator. For all you know, this is a publicity stunt! I know that both Ektaa and Smriti are are smart professionals." Sanjit Bedi, seen in Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka and Kasautii Zindagi Ki, was promised a plum role in Kasturi by Kapoor. It seems he was dropped because of his associa- tion with Iraani. He responds, "It's true that I'm out of Kasturi and Kasautii... and there are no offers from Balaji after that . If Balaji is miffed at me, no one from the production house has made that clear to me." Chetan Hansraj, too, thinks he will never be put in a situation like this. He says, "I don't care which production house it is. If I like my character and the storyline, I will go ahead with it." Kiran Karmarkar essayed the lead role of Om in Balaji's Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and is cur- rently working in Iraani's Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman. "Today, I'm working with Uragya. But, tomorrow, if Balaji offers me a good script and pays me more, I will work for them. Both produc- tion houses are extremely good to work with. I don't think they will ask me to choose," ends Karamarkar.