In, out and back in! (Artical)

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Smriti Iraani (TOI Photo)

Actors getting replaced in TV shows is nothing new. Past few years, ever since daily soaps have set in, this has become a regular feature. You have one actor enacting a particular character for a while to be suddenly replaced by somebody else. The change is because of monetary reasons, poor performance or problems between the actor and the production house.

Well, nevermind that. Now there is a new trend emerging — an actress is out of a show and somebody else takes her place, but some time later, the original actress returns to the show! Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is the latest example of this. After Smriti Iraani quit the serial, Gautami Kapoor was made the new Tulsi. Now Smriti is back and Gautami will sooner or later be eased out. Writers, we are sure, are working overtime to make Gautami's exit as smooth and convincing as possible.

In the case of the comic show Yess Boss , Kavita Kapoor, who played the popular character Meera for many years, was replaced by Sonia Kapoor because the channel wanted to give the show a younger and fresher look. But clearly that didn't work for them and within a few months, the channel got Kavita right back on the show.

When a replacement takes place in a serial, 'plastic surgery' comes to the rescue of script writers! In Yess Boss, the 'plastic surgery' track was used twice! Once when Kavita was out and Sonia was in and second time when it was the opposite.

So how do actors react to being replaced and then brought back? "I didn't leave of my own accord," says Kavita, "But I'm happy to be back. I'm happy especially because people wanted to see me on the show. The TRPs have now gone up and it's becoming a bi-weekly. So I believe I do have some contribution to that."

In another case, Rucha Gujarathi has been brought back in the serial Bhabhi . She had quit the show last year and was replaced by Kanchi Kaul. But now Kanchi is no more doing the show and Rucha is back. "This show is very close to my heart and viewers wanted me back," says Rucha adding, "We amicably sorted out things. My track that's coming up is very interesting."

Meanwhile, Smriti too is glad she's back. About her return in Ekta Kapoor's serial, she says, "I've had a long association with Ekta, so one day, when she called to say that she wanted me back, I agreed. I never question her."