OLD MIHIR NOT COMING BACK

There is a strong rumour that Amarr Upadhyay is all set to return to TV serial "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" that made him a household figure. But producer Ekta Kapoor dismisses it.

"This is what I read. According to reports he'll be playing Tulsi's grandson named Mayank in the soap. Sounds like wishful thinking," laughs TV tycoon Ekta.

"I'm sorry to say this, but it isn't true at all. Amarr won't be any part of 'Kyunki Saas...'. Nor have I any intention of replacing Ronit Roy in Mihir's role. Ronit is not going anywhere. And we are not looking for anyone else."

Ekta is riding high with the success of Sony's "Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai" and now the Amrita Singh vehicle "Kavyanjali" on STAR Plus.

Amarr was put out of sight after he stormed out to be a cine star. Clarifies Ekta: "He is back with us. And he has important roles in two of our serials, 'Kkusum' and 'Kasauti Zindagi Kay'. But sorry, no Mihir."

Amarr refutes the interview whereby he was quoted as saying he was coming back to play Mihir. "I am not playing Mihir. Actually a journalist misquoted me and had later cleared the misunderstanding."

Amarr continues to say he has not given up on a film career.

"I have never believed in giving up. I have received several film offers. But I don't want to repeat the same mistakes. I'm negotiating for better projects with better directors. I have my fingers crossed."

Also, according to a reliable source, Ronit Roy has decided to stay on in Ekta Kapoor's serial "Kasauti Zindagi Kay" and leave "Sarrkar".

Talking about "Kavyanjali", Ekta confesses, "I admit it started tamely. But after the change in the script whereby Amrita Singh's character acquired negative traits, the soap has taken off. It now gets a 12 in TRPs. That's quite neat."

Ekta had vowed not to touch her new car until "Kavyanjali" took off. "I won't enjoy my luxuries if my work doesn't pay off. I had put the car in the garage untouched. It was taken out the day the 'Kavyanjali' TRPs swung upwards."