Ekta’s blacklist

Anuj Saxena, Nausheen Ali Sardar

Ekta's blacklist

The baroness of Indian television doesn't forgive offenders easily. Here's a quick glance at the her previous 'latests' who rubbed her the wrong way...

Amar Upadhayay: He was, at a time, the biggest star on Indian television. Ekta created Mihir Virani and Mihir Virani created Amar Upadhayay. But, unfortunately Amar failed to sustain his stardom and popularity. He ruined his career by giving up TV for films, and when he returned like a prodigal to the place of his initiation, he wasn't received with the same warmth. He now has bit roles in two other shows, but Ekta couldn't trust him with a lead role in any of her shows.

Aman Verma: Aman was brought into Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi at a time when Amar left the entire unit in the lurch. When Ekta realised that Aman was to be her No 1 runner, she invested her trust in him. The damage was done when Aman started taking up work from the other production houses. That caused the two to drift apart. It's been over three years since the two have worked together.

Anuj Saxena: He quoted an amount that she could just not give him. It was money that drove them apart. After playing the lead role in Kkusum for three years, Anuj couldn't adjust to the Balaji parivaar. The two have been sharing cold vibes ever since Saxena spoke ill of her in a glossy. Knowing Ekta's lasting temper, it doesn't seem like he'll be forgiven soon.

Nausheen Ali Sardar: She's the original Kkusum. But she had to give it all up just when the show was taking a time leap. Ekta wanted her to play a 40-year-old but Sardar refused point blank. The refusal resulted in her ouster. Nausheen walked off TV to pursuer a career in films, but after that didn't work out, she too returned. But Ekta wouldn't have her back.

Shweta Kawaatra: There was just one reason that made Shweta quit Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kkusum, and it was because she felt like she'd reached a dead-end playing the conniving Pallavi. Shweta didn't get the opportunity to meet Ekta before she finally quit the show and that did the damage. Ekta hasn't forgiven her for her sudden walkout that left the show in a shambles. The two ladies never worked together again.

Ketki Dave: She was the life of the otherwise morbid Kyunki Saas Bhi.... But her refusal to acquiesce to Ekta's 'unreasonable' demands of aping another actor (actress Shruti Ulfat), was the spark that set them off. The cracks in their equation still exist, with Ketki sticking by her professional ethics, and Ekta, by her commercial standards. Despite innumerable negotiations they never got down to working together.