Ekta to pull out of Smriti’s show

Smriti Iraani and Ekta Kapoor

All's not well between former best friends Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Z Iraani. There's a buzz doing the rounds that Balaji Telefilms is planning to pull out as co-producer from Smriti's show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman (Iraani's Ugraya Productions is the other producer). If sources are to be believed, Ekta is pulling out of the show in two weeks time.

Clash of the titans

Says a member working on the show, "For quite some time, there have been creative issues that have been affecting the show. Now it is final that Ekta will pull out of Thodi Si...."

The reason behind this fallout seems to be Smriti's devotion to her brand new project for Sony — Viruddh.

The source adds, "Smriti hasn't been giving enough time to Kyunki. She has been having major confrontations with Ekta and the creative heads of the serial because of this. So much so, that relations between them have become very bitter."

Thanks to this clash of titans, loyal Balaji actors who are part of Thodi Si Zameen... are now feeling like they've been caught in the middle.

An actor on condition of anonymity says, "It is a difficult time. Even though Ekta hasn't put pressure on anyone to quit Smriti's show, it's definitely not going to be the same working without her supervision.

In time, I guess everyone will have to take a decision on whether to remain with the show or not. But yes, actors who are part of Balaji will have to give priority to Balaji shows. Earlier, we worked out our dates to suit both sides."

Ties have soured

A source in Balaji admits, "Things have been souring between Smriti and Balaji for some time now. Thodi Si Zameen... was not garnering any profits, but that is expected in the initial stages. The main reason for Balaji pulling out of the show is production and costing issues."

The source adds that there were major problems with the show's budget. "As far as we know, there are no creative differences. But Smriti does have date problems. She has been giving a lot of trouble to the Kyunki unit because of this.

She gives only two hours for a two-day requirement as she wants to give more time to her new show Viruddh."

As for when Balaji is scheduled to pull out of Smriti's show, the source says, "The contract between Balaji Telefilms and Smriti was for 52 episodes.

Once the 52 episodes are over (in two weeks), Balaji will pull out. None of us expected Balaji to pull out of Smriti's show. Thodi Si Zameen's extension was a given, so Balaji's exit comes as a huge shock."