Group ouster for Kumkum crew

Who went?

Director Arvind Babbal, Second Director Noel Smith and writer Mahesh Pandey are out of the afternoon drama produced by Anuradha Prasad. When the cast reported for shooting on Monday morning, they were surprised to see no action on the sets and more action behind the camera.

Old director back

Confirming the development, creative head for Kumkum, Sancheeta Bose, says, "Yes, we have changed the writer and the director.

The new director is Ashish Patil, while the screenplay will now be written by Farhan Salaruddin and Barry Dhillon. In fact, Ashish was Kumkum's director in the initial stages of the show."

As for the reason for the ouster, Bose says, "As it is a daily, it is routine to change the thought processes and rejuvenate the show."

When asked, Pandey said, "Yes, I am no longer part of Kumkum. I had been writing for over a year now. I don't want to say anything more now."

Pandey has been synonymous with several Balaji shows, like Kahaanii Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Kahiin To Hoga. He also played Shekhar in Kasuatii Zindagii Kay.

Other show

Babbal said he was no longer directing Kumkum as BAG Films had asked him to direct their new weekly show, Akhiyon Ke Jharokhe Se, slated to air on Star Plus soon. "It's not that I have been asked to go. It's just that I will now direct their other show," he explains. Babbal had been directing Kumkum for almost a year. He earlier directed Kesar, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kahiin To Hoga.

Real reason

The real reason why the writer and director were replaced seems to be their obsession for details that was proving to be too time-consuming in a daily shoot. But with both Babbal and Pandey preferring not to divulge details, the truth behind their exit remains a mystery.

shaheen@mid-day.com