Ekta comes to Mahi's rescue!

Shobha Kapoor wanted a new Mahi for Abhay in Kkusum but daughter Ekta decided otherwise

Poonam Narula is very excited about getting back in action after a long hibernation. Her marriage and pregnancy have kept her busy for almost two years. But Poonam isn't complaining. After returning to Kkusum as Mahi, it's now her weekly show Shararat that she is soon going to make a comeback in. "Looks like my maternity break is over," she jokes.

At the moment Poonam's rumoured ouster from Balaji's Kkusum is keeping her in news. A few weeks ago, rumours about Jaya Bhattacharya replacing her in Kkusum were circulating in tellydom.

Some attributed it to the war between her co-star Anuj Saxena and her husband (Manish Goyal). In fact the fracas was the talk of the town. However, the object of all speculation, i.e Poonam says, "I think people made a huge issue out of nothing. My co-star Anuj and I work differently. He can give time for shooting only in the evenings whereas my evenings are busy with my baby. Our timings were becoming a huge problem as we are playing husband-wife in the show. So, all this while the director was only 'cheatshooting' our scenes. But for how long could one do that?

Hence Shobha Kapoor thought that by replacing me with Jaya Bhattacharaya in the show, things would settle down."

But how did she react when she learnt that the producer was thinking of replacing her? "I respected her decision and was absolutely cool with it. In fact, it was Jaya who called to inform me about this. I wish they'd first informed me about this before deciding on my replacement. The scenario changed when Ekta Kapoor learnt about the possible shift. She was the one who was adamant that I continue with the show. I have to thank her for showing that kind of faith in me." The final decision is that Narula will continue to play Mahi Kapoor in Kkusum.

The other show that is eagerly waiting for her to return is UTV's Shararat. The actress is slated to re-appear in the show next month.

Undoubtedly, Poonam is excited about this development. "Shararat is a show that's very close to my heart. I've shot for it till my ninth month of pregnancy and missed it while I was on leave."

She took some time before returning to this show, and explains, "After I left the show, the focus shifted on my screen daughter and her college gang. How could they just get me in without any explanation? Zarina Mehta wanted my re-entry to the show in a designed manner, which could explain my absence and now the comeback in the show," she cites.

Apparently, it was at UTV's party that happened a few days ago where the decision was taken. "I met the entire gang at the Bhabhi bash. There I was told that Shararat will now get a new look, new set and a new story line. That's when my character will be re-introduced in the show," she concludes.