I’ll never work with Rajeev again-article

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poonam

@koolkat

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Posted: 18 years ago

I'll never work with Rajeev, and that's final'

Ekta Kapoor also talks about cracking the whip at Balaji. She says, "I want my actors to rehearse their lines at home. From now on I want punctual, professional, cost-effective actors"

Back to Section Stories Posted On Tuesday, March 27, 2007


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Subhash K Jha

What's the status of your relationship with Smriti Irani at present?
Smriti has now become a producer herself. So , how can we use her as an actor for more than the one show? She's acting in her own soaps now. At the same time she's working in my No.1 soap Kyunki... As an actress Smriti has been working with me for seven years now. We've had our ups and downs and we've worked it out between us. I also have Sakshi Tanwar. If I get one more actor like her I wouldn't mind doing another Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii for 10 years.

Ekta Kapoor

Is Smriti able to give you the time that you require from her for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi?
Actually….no. It's been quite tough arranging her schedule. But I understand eventually everyone has to do what's right for their own life and career. And we're ready to extend all the support that she needs from us. But yes, I do need to cultivate a new generation of actors. That's why I've taken an all-new cast in my new show Kasturi. It goes on air on Star after KBC. Other than Rupa Ganguly it has a completely new cast.

So what are the new changes at Balaji that we keep hearing about?
We've decided to work in a cost-effective way so that creative heads and writers get more money than actors. I sincerely believe that writers and creative heads make a soap work. To be fair, there are no stars on TV. We require good directors rather than tantrum-prone actors who spend hours on make-up then come on the sets and ask about their lines. I want my actors to rehearse their lines at home. From now on I want punctual, professional, cost-effective actors.

So you think your actors aren't giving you enough time in your dailies?
I'd say it's human nature for monotony to set in after many years of doing the same thing. The hours of work put in by TV stars make them jaded. It's very tiring indeed. Recently my father did a few episodes of Kyunki… He was left wondering how TV actors continue doing the same soap for years. Your body and mind get tired. Unlike a film actor who moves from one ambience and set-up to another, TV actors work in the same set-up day after day. When the soap ends they feel bereft.

Rajeev Khandewal says he doesn't want to work with you unless you offer him something substantial. What do you think about it?
I don't want to talk about Rajeev. I don't want to carry this on and on. Rajeev has made a habit of talking to the press and then denying it to me privately. I've got SMSes from him to prove it. I'll never work with Rajeev, and that's final.

Edited by koolkat - 18 years ago