Kyunki...paisa bahut zyada hai-Artical

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Smriti Iraani (TOI Photo) More pics

That Smirti Iraani and Ekta Kapoor have patched up is old news. Her return to the popular television show Kyunki... was welcomed by viewers who have again got glued to Tulsi's tears and parivaar.

Yet, while the actor is busy shooting for the daily and her other programmes, rumours behind the patch-up refuse to die.

According to industry sources, the patch-up happened when the channel in question held a meeting between both the warring ladies.

"After Smriti left Kyunki..., the show was not doing well at all. Yet, they could not stop the show altogether simply because it has reached iconic proportions in terms of serials that have been shown on Indian television. Hence, they decided to bring back Smriti to Kyunki...," says a source.

For those not in the loop, when Smriti parted ways with Balaji, she began to produce and act in other shows. She even roped in some big names on television, including Kiran Karmarkar, Vikram Gokhale and Sushant Singh, to act in her serials. "Though Smriti's shows like Thodi Si Zameen...and Viruddh were critically acclaimed and had interesting and different storylines, they failed to woo the audience. They were even slotted for primetime and Viruddh was pitted against a Balaji show. Viruddh's TRPs were low and it failed to bring in the money. Ultimately, they had to be pulled off air. Under such circumstances, when she was asked to come back to Kyunki... on a higher remuneration, she readily agreed. And the remuneration we are talking about here is really huge," says the source. In her earlier stint as Tulsi, she used to draw Rs 50,000 a day. If sources are to be believed, today she draws a figure that is 'unheard of' in the context of pay packets for Indian television stars.

While the actor is smiling her way to the bank, there are others who are not too happy with this development. Producers of Teen Bahuraniyan which had Smriti in the lead, are anything but happy. "Smriti was roped in to play a character in Teen.... The story revolved around her too. But as soon as the deal with returning back to Kyunki... worked out, she left the show. Now the producers are actually left in a lurch since they will have to re-work the storyline."

For those who are wondering how exactly this Smriti-Ekta patch-up happened, here's more dope. Right from the day Smriti willingly took part in the Balaji awards ceremony without charging a single penny, Ekta's heart melted. The gesture was enough to pave the way for a future patch-up. All that was needed was a timely intervention.

"Though Ekta and Smriti have always denied a rift, there definitely was one. That's what made them part ways and resulted in Smriti leaving the show. But somewhere down the line, both realised that they are a winning combination and can't do without each other. Smriti owes her popularity to Ekta for giving her the role of Tulsi and making her a household name. Similarly, Ekta owes part of her success of Balaji to Smriti as she made the show a success," says the source.

Whatever the reason behind the patch-up, the move has definitely been welcomed with open arms by both viewers and the channel.