Balaji Telefilms moves court against Star on 'Kyunki'
(Updated on 20 October 2008 11:00 pm)
(20 October 2008 2:00 pm)
| MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms has moved the Bombay High Court challenging Star Group's decision to terminate the longest running daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi from 10 November, a source told Indiantelevision.com. Star had in August agreed to run the show till March, the source added. When contacted, Star India CEO Uday Shankar refused to comment on the issue. "The matter is sub judice," he said. Balaji Telefilms had earlier in the day informed the BSE that it would be "pursuing all legal remedies available to it" as "the termination is in breach of contractual obligations owed by the Star Group to it." SGL Entertainment Ltd, part of the Star Group, had issued a notice to Balaji Telefilms to terminate its daily Kyunki … with effect from 10 November. Shares of Balaji Telefilms fell 11.42 per cent on the BSE to Rs 96.20 at the close of trade in a firm Mumbai market. Star was paying a premium for the three 'K' shows including Kyunki …since their launch in 2000 due to their top ratings on the Hindi general entertainment channel Star Plus. As part of the deal, Balaji also could not put up shows in competing channels at the same time slot. |
Star reviewed the agreement with Balaji Telefilms as the three popular 'K' shows - Kyunki..., Kahanii Ghar Ghar Ki and Kasauti Zindagi Ki - declined in ratings. Kahanii and Kausauti are already off air.
In August this year Star and Balaji Telefilms announced termination of their regional language broadcasting joint venture agreement.
Star also said it would be selling its 25.99 per cent stake in Balaji. Under the pact, Balaji's promoters are entitled to buy the entire stake at Rs 190 per share within 240 days, failing which Star will be free to sell it to any other entity except a competitor.
Star Plus will be replacing Kyunki... with another fiction show but it won't be made by Balaji Telefilms, a source in the company said.
Kyunki…
is one of the six shows that Balaji Telefilms produces for Star. Balaji also produces two shows for 9X and one for Zee TV. It will also be making two programmes that will be launched on NDTV Imagine in this quarter
Bollywood
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
Anupamaa
