Apara Mehta, Smriti Irani at a War

Another friendship bites the dust. Smriti Irani has been held responsible for actress Apara Mehta's sudden exit from Kyun Ki. The two actresses were the best of friends, who even shared the same make-up room and what's more even did a play, Kuch Tum Kaho, Kuch Hum Kahen, together. Sources claim that Smriti's manipulative ways came in the way of the association. Apara, had no clue that her role was going to be terminated till she walked into the sets on the last day. So deep is the rift that Smriti even refused to appear with Apara on the show Jodi Kamaal Ki.

Smriti better do a rethink or she may have no friends left in the industry. Many of her co-stars openly complain about her manipulative ways. Smriti apparently gets insecure if a particular actor is praised by the unit for her performance. Sources claim that the lady wants to be the centre of attention at all times and gets annoyed when people on the sets are not willing to pander to her ego.

Apara Mehta's phone has not stopped ringing since her character Savita Vi rani's death on Kyunki… Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. And the calls are not just from people who want to tell her that she will be missed on the show but also from TV and film producers who want to sign her up.
One such project Mehta is exptremely happy about is Mani Ratnam's next film, Guru, starring Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan. "I play Aishwarya's mother in the film," says the actress. "Mani Ratnam sent a message through his assistant asking whether I would do a substantial cameo in his film after playing parallel leads in big soaps. As they were willing to adjust the dates, I couldn't refuse." Mehta has earlier had small roles in films like Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Devdas. But this time, she says, her role is more than a "bit".

On the TV front, she is currently seen in Zee's Saat Phere. "I play Kuki Kaki, a Marwari who comes from abroad and takes an instant dislike to the dark-skinned Saloni. Although Saloni and Kuki start off on a bad note, Kuki ends up supporting the girl at an unexpected turn," she says.

Recently, there were rumours that all was not well between her and Smriti Iraani, who is said to have got her out of Kyunki…. But Mehta smiles diplomatically as she says "Nothing of that sort. We are on good terms."

A source from Jodee Kamaal Ki says, "We approached Apara and Smriti to appear on the show. While Apara agreed immediately, Smriti said appearing with Apara on the show was impossible as she did not even know her birthday." Some claim that their re lationship ran into rough weather when Smriti ventured into Gujarati theatre without even informing Apara, who had introduced Smriti on stage. "Smriti did not bother to tell Apara about the opening of her play, making things."