Ekta Rubbishes Rumours Of BJP Pressure

By Subhash K Jha

Slush whispers that Ekta Kapoor is being pressurized by the BJP to continue with Smriti Irani's tenure as Tulsi on Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has the czarina of tv software chuckling with delight.

"This is rubbish. A respected organization like the BJP can't be expected take interest in something so trivial. Besides, do I look like the type who would buckle under pressure?"

However the see-saw regarding the change of guard in Balajee's flagship show Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Tthi, continues.

It's just a fortnight before the change at the helm is scheduled to happen. But Ekta still hasn't decided who would be the new Tulsi.

She reveals her dilemma, "It's either Padmini Kolhapure or Gautami Gadgil. We make the change in a week. And we still haven't decided. The story is still being worked on."

However the question of Smriti leaving the show has finally been resolved. "Smriti is leaving Kyunkii Saas," says Ekta. "She needed a break. We're giving her one for some time. The future course of her track in the show is undecided. Whatever she decides, she will always remain a part of Balajee."

So would Smriti be back in the show? "She would be. But when, we cannot say. It could be a month, two months, or six months. She's welcome back anytime. Smriti has always supported Kyunki…

Ekta will take a call on who replaces Smirti in a week's time. "Right now all I'm thinking about is the release of Shootout At Lokhandwala which is Balajee's first co-production with Sanjay Gupta's White Feather films.

I know it's an unexpected alliance. We at Balajee are accused of churning out predictable soaps. Might as well spring some surprise in movie production," she dead-pans.

http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=15008