Rajeev Khandelwal, who?
You don't have to look for a scoop when talking to Ekta Kapoor. She hands you the entire cone. In a no-holds-barred interview with Kunal M Shah, the empress of the airwaves talks about all her primetime soaps, lead actors and Bollywood plans…
What's happening with Kahanii Ghar Ghar Ki. There are constant rumours that the show is shutting down?
It's the number two show after Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on television. I would be foolish to shut it down. There is no chance of me shutting down Kahanii and Kyunki for at least a couple of more years. The TRPs are rocking. I would be foolish, mad or crazy to shut Kahanii…and I am none of those.
There is a lot of speculation about the story leap in Kyunki…
Actually, I can't discuss anything about this right now. I am in the process of doing something very big on Kyunki. So, there's no point discussing it.
There is going to be one more Tulsi on the show?
(Laughs). How, what and where - I am not saying anything.
There are rumours that you are doing one more show with Smriti Irani…
That will happen sometime later. I am definitely going to do one more show with Smriti on Star Plus itself. I want to give her a younger look as I am sure she can carry that well. She has been extremely gracious playing an older woman.
What happened to the dare bare case regarding your party?
(Laughs again). What case? I had the police come and do a little investigation. How can you have a case when you have never attended the party? Somebody saw something on television and filed a case. Thankfully for me, there were so many people from the press who vouched that there was no skin show at all.
What's happening in the non-fictional department at Balaji?
We are starting a show called Kandy Floss on Sony. It's a gossip show. It will feature a character named Kandy (who we will not show on screen) who is a socialite. She'll talk about the parties happening in town. It's going to be great fun. There are other plans as well. I want to explore the non-fictional field thoroughly. That's why we have brought in Mohan Kapoor to be creative head of the department. He has a fantastic resume and has worked as an actor as well.
Apparently you recently looked through Rajeev Khandelwal at a party…and he has been sending you feelers to come back to Balaji?
Who Rajeev Khandelwal? He is the guy who played Sujal earlier, right? I just read somewhere that he is very happy doing Time Bomb. I am also very happy for him (laughs loudly). I don't have anything more to say. Half the time they shoot their mouths off in the press and I don't give any clarifications. But the fact is they all want to come back.
Recently, Tusshar blasted Mona Wasu of Miilee when she said something about you. That's unlike Tusshar?
Tusshar is my brother. And my brother is a doll. We might fight a lot but in front of some outsider, he will protect me and I will protect him. So, he did what a brother should do.
Ronit Roy's character has died in Sarrkar. Does that mean he is now with Balaji completely?
Of course it means that. Now he is 24/7 with Balaji. Although I wish I could give him more shows, two shows take up all his time.
Does that mean he won't go back to Sarrkar?
Yes, it means that.
Your baby Kkavyanjali is finally doing well. I am sure you must be excited…
I am ecstatic. Have you seen the ratings? The show is doing very well and for me it's the biggest kick of my life. Films come and go. I was depressed when K2H2 did well but Kkavyanjali was not doing well. Now I am happy as I have worked very hard on the show. Everybody thought that the show was over. People said that the channel is going to send me a letter asking me to shut it down. I kept on wondering why. The Star people told me to continue and finally, the show picked up. And how! Like I said, I don't expect things and keep on working hard. I kept working on this show. I didn't give up. And when you don't, the results show.
The story track in Kkusum is going haywire. Are you happy with the way the show is doing?
No. I am trying to make changes and let's see what happens.
You are also starting a youth-based show with a musical backdrop?
It's called Krimson Skies. It's starting on Star One in about two months' time. It has a very interesting cast of new boys and new girls.
The movie Koi Aap Sa was launched before Kya Kool Hai Hum (K2H2). Why did you release K2H2 first?
I did launch Koi Aap Sa before but we didn't start shooting for it earlier. I think we started shooting for the film sometimes in August last year. So there was no delay as such.
It is rumoured that Sunita Menon advised you to release K2H2 first?
I wanted to release Kya Kool first and not Sunita. I realised that I could only do one production at a time.
Natassha is known for her item tracks like 'Ding dong' and 'Bindaas'. But Koi Aap Sa does not have any item numbers starring her?
The story didn't allow it. She plays a tomboy in the film so how could I allow it
What are your expectations from Koi Aap Sa, especially after the success of K2H2?
I don't expect anything from my films. I didn't even expect anything from Kya Kool. I just make my films and relax. I know people expect me to be nervous during the release but hello? I have just made my film! It is for the audience to expect. Even on television, I don't expect anything. I am neither confident nor under-confident. I am just expectant.
Himanshu Malik is unhappy about being ignored in the publicity of the film…
(Looks uninterested) The story is about Aftab, Dipanita and Natassha. We didn't plan on using Himanshu for the publicity from day one. It didn't matter and makes no difference to the film.
It is believed that you are starting quite a few films now?
I am starting many big films now. Koi Aap Sa was the last of my small films.
What happened to the film with Rajkumar Santoshi?
That's not happening. I am starting films with Abbas-Mustan, Neeraj Vora and Satish Kaushik.
• Who Rajeev Khandelwal? He is the guy who played Sujal earlier, right? I just read somewhere that he is very happy doing Time Bomb
— Ekta
WHAT THE QUEEN OF KOOL SAYS:
* Ronit Roy back with Balaji
* One more show planned with Smriti; this time she will look her age
* Rajeev Khandelwal will never be taken back by Balaji
* Kkusum track needs revamping
* Kahanii and Kyunki will not shut down for at least two years
* Kavvyanjali is rocking
* Two new Balaji shows - Kandy Floss and Krimson Skies - will go on air on Star One
* Three new movies to be launched with Abbas-Mustan, Neeraj Vora and Satish Kaushik
Tum Se Tum Tak
