dunno whether this has been posted before...
Ekta Kapoor gifts friend Shabbir Ahluwalia the lead role in her new show
Reena Thapar Kapoor
Those who are close to Ekta Kapoor will agree that the producer is extra concerned about her friends and that she also loves to pamper her actors.
"I admit I do so but I don't let my affection for my friends interfere with my work," she says. "What's important for me is the character in the show. If I think a particular actor suits the role I sign him. And if that actor happens to be a friend, then nothing like it!"
This time, Ekta gifted good friend and actor Shabbir Ahluwalia the lead role in her new daily show, the working title of which is Kis Rishte Se. "Shabbir is apt for the role. When I was briefed about the character I realised that the role was meant for him," says Ekta.
And Shabbir is glad. "I'm looking forward to playing my first ever lead role in a show. Living up to Ekta's expectations doesn't scare me as my own expectations are higher," he says. The actor is in the process of losing a few kilos for the part. "It's a positive character, something that I'm not used to playing on television," he says.
The word is that Kis Rishte Se is inspired by the book Arif. "It's very loosely based on Arif. It's a TV show and will require loads of alterations and changes," says Ekta.
Apparently, Kis Rishte Se is a story about two step-sisters and the two men in their lives. The actor playing the second lead is Karan Wahi from Remix. "My team has already started the pre-production work on the show. It should to go on air by Dussehra," says Ekta.
The serial will be aired on Star One. However, the hunt for the two leading ladies is on. "I'm looking for two new faces. We have also tied up with Bajaa.com to help facilitate our search," says Ekta. She has also roped in film script-writers for films to write the serial. The show will have Ronit Roy playing a younger character in a cameo.
