TV's fave bahu to put on a new hat

The first bahu of Indian television has joined hands with her creator to bring something different to viewers.

Smriti Irani and Ekta Kapoor are producing a serial together for the channel Star Plus.

And they have roped in Kamlesh Pandey, who has recently penned Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti, to write the show.

The writer earlier worked on shows such as Karamchand and Kurukshetra. He had moved to writing for Bollywood since he considered television to be "like a monster, which controls you".

However, with Ekta and Smriti persuading him, he didn't have a choice. "They are very persuasive ladies.

At the same time, they are two of the biggest names of the small screen and I just couldn't refuse them," he says.

"In terms of execution and style, the serial will be very different from the Balaji soaps," says Pandey about the new show that is supposed to go on air in June. "We haven't decided on the name yet. All we know is that it might not be with a 'K'," says Pandey.

"The topic, too, will be more provocative than a family drama," he adds.

Also, instead of being a daily soap, it will be telecast twice weekly. The story revolves around a young woman from a humble background who makes it big in society. Smriti Irani, herself, will play the protagonist.

"In the K-serials, the women are always concerned about their family. Here, Smriti's character is very contemporary. People will see Smriti in a whole new avatar," he elaborates.

She is joined in the cast by Sushant Singh (of Matrubhoomi and Jungle fame), Harsh Chhaya (Hasratein, Astitva), Hiten Tejwani (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) and Kiran Karmakar (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii), besides other actors from the theatre background.

"It was necessary to take actors from theatre since the roles are very demanding," says Pandey.