Sikcand shown the door?

Sikcand shown the door?

Reportedly Sony honcho Sandiip Sikcand has been put on a two-month notice period for non-performance

It wasn't too long ago when Sandiip Sikcand joined Sony Entertainment Television in the capacity of chief creative director with much fanfare and amidst many K-controversies (remember he had an ugly fallout with mentor Ekta Kapoor?), last August. With no visible boost in the channel's TRPs, thinking heads at the channel are considering showing a not-so-happening Sikcand the door. Sources inform that scuffles over poor TRPs and sinking prime time daily soaps have become a common occurence in the Sony office.

At a high-profile meeting early this week, Sikcand was asked to pull up his socks or else.... A well-placed source from the channel informs, "Yes it is true. There was a meeting between the authorities on Wednesday night and Sandiip was asked to resign. In fact, Sandiip did put in his papers yesterday. He will be serving his notice period for two months and April 30 will be his last day at work."

What prompted the channel authorities to do away with Sikcand? It started with TRPs dipping when the final drama was unfolding on Bigg Boss. In the last week, other programmes commanded better viewership (according to TAM figures). Kaun Banega Crorepati topped the list of favourites with a TRP of 5.3, followed by Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki with a TRP of 4.9, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with 4.7 and the India-West Indies match with 4.1. As for the new lot of soaps including Kaajal, Kulvadhu, Jeete Hai Jiske Liye and Durgesh Nandini failing to garner considerable viewership. Not to mention, Sikcand also exercised his powers to change production houses (Shreya Creations replaced Prime Channel for Ek Ladki Anjaani Si) and even sacked a few actors including Kanchi Kaul.

When quizzed about his ouster Sikcand said, "I do not wish to comment on this issue at all." Even channel authorities are making efforts to keep the spat hush-hush. N P Singh, chief operating officer of Sony Entertainment Television says, "This is completely baseless and there is no truth in this."