| For the first time in the history of Indian television, Ekta Kapoor is suing actress Rucha Gujarati (Kali in Kkusum) for breach of contract.
Rucha's one-year contract (which she signed in December 2004) stated that she would allot 25 days a month to Balaji and would not shoot for other TV serials. But the actress disregarded the clause and shot for UTV's Bhabhi, where she plays Saroj's daughter (Dolly Sohi).
"Yes, we are preparing a legal notice against Rucha, which will be sent next week," confirms Ekta. Why not resolve the matter out of court? "I wish to set an example. If all my artistes start giving their dates away to other serials, I won't have dates for my serials," says Ekta.
All newcomers who join Balaji have to sign one or two-year contracts, stipulating the working days allotted to Balaji — and the standard clause that they cannot shoot for other serials.
Says a Balaji source, "We train raw newcomers, and other production houses then want to take them away. Artistes, once they become established, want to earn as much money as possible and start working two shifts, which is quite impossible.
A contract is a way of ensuring that such clashes don't occur. We already have to adjust dates with senior artistes, and if newcomers too start having date problems, we would never be able to shoot any serial."
Rucha, currently shooting in Mauritius, says, "There was a problem initially, with my UTV dates and Balaji dates clashing.
But the misunderstanding has been sorted out. Both production houses have been accommodating and adjusting, and I am grateful for it.
My contract with Balaji states that I can shoot for other serials; I have to allot them 20 plus five days here and there," explains the actress. "I am extremely grateful to Ekta for giving me a break and my first priority will always lie with her."
Rucha is unaware of the legal notice. For Ekta, the issue is unresolved, as UTV is not willing to get involved in the matter and going to court seems the only solution. upala@mid-day.com |
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