Stuck in a rut?--kumkum

Characters like Tulsi, Parvati, Prerna, Bani and Kumkum may have made stars out of little known actors. But did these roles ring a death knell for better opportunities or fresher roles? Even after quitting Kyunkii Smriti Irani couldn't shed the Tulsi image for good. Whether it's in Teen Bahuraniya or Mere Apne, her roles still remind viewers of her Tulsi days. Smriti continues to be the 'Jai shree kishen' chanting, sari clad bahu, except may be in a Viruddh, where she won only critical acclaim as opposed to popular viewership.

Smriti defends herself saying, "I don't think I was stuck in Tulsi's image for long because I have a life outside television. I have done theatre; have involved myself in politics and social work which helped me break my TV image," she says, adding that she has broken her Tulsi image to play Uma and Vasudha, characters closer to her age, in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman and Viruddh.

The story is no different in the case of Sakshi Tanwar aka Parvati. While doing Kahani Sakshi Tanwar had played younger roles in Devi and Sansaar, but the shows didn't notch up decent ratings. And now Shweta Tiwari is allegedly getting the jitters at the very thought of life post Kasuatii, the show which made her a household name through the character Prerna.

Juhi Parmar who has been playing Kumkum for the past five years denies that there's stagnation in her career. She says, "It's but natural that I can't take up a role in another daily. But I don't think there would be paucity of roles when Kumkum gets over."

There are some actors like Prachi Desai who manage to break the mould before it's too late. Prachi, 19, who plays a mother in Kasamh Se was able able to shed her Bani image on Jhalak Dikhla Jaa where she was her bubbly self. she says, "reality shows give an opportunity to be yourself. My life and career has changed completely after Jhalak."

But others can't deny the fact that super stardom on TV comes with a price. In fact, the bigger the role, the harder it gets to break free. unless of course you have a mentor in Ekta Kapoor, a la Prachi!

'http://deccan.com/TV%20Guide/TV%20GuideDescription.a sp#Victi%20m%20or%