Star TV still cashin' in on Smriti?

The event was the unveiling of Star Parivaar Designer Ethnic Wear Collection and all the Star bahus were present to grace the occasion. Sanjeeda Shiekh, Gautami Kapoor, Shubhangi Atre, Parul Chauhan, Sara Khan and Lubna Salim were the popular bahus of Indian television present at the do.

But what caught our attention was the Compact Disc that was circulated to the people present on the occasion. The face of the disc has three K-bahus Tulsi, Parvati and Gauri on it. Star TV has used Smriti Irani's picture instead of Gautami Gadgil who is the current Tulsi of Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhii Bahu Thi.

We asked Gautami what she felt about this? Gautami said, "You should ask Star TV about the whole issue. Well, to me it does not make any difference. I am okay with that. As far as commenting on the picture of Smriti is concerned I don't think I should say anything on this. I am not the right person to answer this question."

Senior VP, Merchandising & Licencing, Star India, Namette D'sa clears the air. "When we started working on the project, Smriti was playing Tulsi. Gautami came in later. She said, "We started the creative work when Smriti was part of the show. So when the merchandise was introduced we did not know that Tulsi was going to have a face change. Also we are using the characters and not the actresses."

So are they not trying to cash in on the popularity of the original Tulsi? Namette clears, "See we have no intention of using anybody's popularity or fame. We are concentrating on Tulsi the character and that is beyond the face or the actress who is playing it. Merchandising is using different characters irrespective of who is playing that character. Also, one has to keep in mind that the avtaars of Tulsi co-exist. The character has two faces one is Smriri and the other one is Gautami."

Well we take your word Namette but the stories of competition between the two Tulsis don't seem to die down.