| Several Balaji stars (former flames and current blue-eyed-boys and girls) have been spotted doing the rounds of the Sony office. In recent times, big stars like Smriti Z Iraani, Aamna Shariff and Anuj Saxena have been seen in the channel's Malad office.
What makes this development interesting is the fact that ever since Sandiip Sikcand (who was Balaji's creative head for shows like Kasamh Se and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii) joined Sony as its chief creative director, there has been a degree of awkwardness between Balaji and Sony.
No covert reason
Interestingly, actors who had issues with Kapoor or hardcore Balaji actors who are looking at prospects beyond Balaji seem to have found comfort in Sikcand and Sony. "All these actors have been calling or meeting Sikcand to put forward their case," says a source.
So is Sikcand poaching Balaji's stars? "Absolutely not," says Sikcand. "Let me make this clear that I am not at Sony to poach Balaji actors. I have been with Balaji for four years and know these people in my personal capacity as well. If I meet them, it does not amount to poaching. An actor or producer can approach anyone."
Sandiip says there's no covert reason why Smriti, Aamna and Anuj came to see him. "Smriti is now not only an actress, but also a producer. She came here and we discussed some matters," he says.
As for his encounter with Aamna, Sikcand says, "I've known her even before she began acting in Kahiin ... She is a friend and she dropped in to congratulate me on my new appointment. There are several Balaji actors who I share a great rapport with. Chetan Hansraj is a friend. If he is seen with me, that does not mean I'm taking him away from Balaji!"
And as for Anuj, he says, "He runs his own production house, Maverick, and he comes to Sony in his capacity as a producer."
Mad about moving
Interestingly, the Sony-Balaji imbroglio now becomes heightened as Balaji's only drama on the channel, Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai, wraps up this week. Sony will then be the only channel without a Balaji show.
The new incumbent in Kaisa's time slot is Kaajjal (produced by K Sera Sera's Twenty Twenty) starring Surveen Chawla, Apoorva Agnihotri and Rati Agnihotri. The channel is touting this fairytale romance as its big ticket.
Balaji czarina Ekta Kapoor believes that no one is indispensable. But even though her shows go on as actors and creative heads come and go, Sikcand's departure to Sony has irked Balaji. Both Kapoor and Sikcand are not spelling out exactly what prompted the latter to quit Balaji.
Says Kapoor, "At the moment, I'm not doing any show for Sony and Star as I want to try different channels and also new kinds of programming (like for kids) for which there is no scope on Sony and Star." But it is learnt that Kapoor is peeved with Sikcand and his doings. Says a Balaji source, "Ekta is furious with Sandeep and his doings." |
Cricket
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Bigg Boss 19
