Balaji facing star problems! Article~

There is no doubt that Balaji Telefilms is the numero uno television production in this competitive industry.

Balaji is known for its saas-bahu dramas and soaps. Though they started out with the successful sitcom "Hum Paanch", they have not ventured into comedy much. They have successful shows on the air like "Kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi" and "Kaahin to hoga". They no doubt rule the TRPS but recently there have been star walk-outs from Balaji.
It all started with Amarr Upadhyaya and Rajeev Khandelwal followed by Surveen Chawla, Aamnaa Sharif, Iqbal Khan, Amit Tandon and Manoj Bohra. Exceptions are the old faithfuls like Smriti Irani and Shweta Tiwari with serials like "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki" and "Kasauti Zindagi Kay". None of the artistes were willing to comment but Cezzane Khan clarified that he was still with Balaji Telefilms and was participating in the shooting.

Ekta Kapoor was unavailable for comment. The TV industry has been beset by problems like hectic schedules for the stars, payment delays, staff reshuffling, and falling TRP's. Rajeev Khandelwal has moved to Sony with Tony and Deeya Singh's "Left Right Left". The others have also moved to other channels.

Amarr Upadhyaya refused to comment on anything about Balaji Telefilms. However, Ekta is worried about the falling TRP'S of her old shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki" and "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi". Her film ventures too have not done well with films like "Kucch To Hai" and "Kyunki Main Jhooth Nahin Bolta"flopping. But her shows for the South based Udaya Tv in Kannada are doing well. And the Balaji scrip has been quoting well on the bourses in the range of Rs.150 to 160. They are going ahead with their Bhojpuri films.

The television audience has changed over the years with teary soaps and sitcoms making way for reality shows, talent shows and game shows. How Balaji will revamp their content to suit
the audience taste is the top priority on Ekta's agenda.

Source: http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section =xtras&subsection=showbuzz&xfile=February2007_extras pecial_standard872&child=extraspecial