ARUNA IRANI--the wait is over

A fter umpteen delays, actor- producer Aroona Irani's show Doli Saja Ke (Sahara One) has got a telecast date. Initially targeted for a November 2006 launch, it will finally go on air on April 30. The show stars Barkha Bisht as the main protagonist. Bisht is currently anchoring PopKorn Newz (Zoom) and was last seen in the Rajshri's Ek Radha Ek Shyam (Star Plus). Producer speak Irani says, "The channel felt there should be a gap of at least two months between the launch of new shows, hence the delay." She is all praise for the chan- nel and adds, "The show is as much the channel's baby as it's mine. If there are cer- tain delays, re-shoots or last minute changes, it's all in order to get a better product." Doli has all the ingredients of a typical family drama, loaded with romance and emotions. "Our Indi- an audiences are used to a staple diet of drama which they can sit and watch with their family at home," she says. Is that why her earlier show Vaidehi (Sony) was suddenly tak- en off air, although it was pro- duced as a daily. "Vaidehi had a very bold subject. The channel wanted something different. They must have faced certain problems and decided to end the show. But I'm happy that Sony at least was brave enough to experiment with a subject like that," says an unde- terred Irani. Act and learn Apart from awaiting the launch of her show, Irani is busy shooting these days for Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii (Star Plus). She says it's a won- derful experience working with Balaji Telefilms. "As an actress, I'm happy and comfortable work- ing with them. As a producer, I've learnt so many new things. I've always felt that I'm quite efficient but when I see Balaji, I feel there's still so much more to learn," she remarks. Balaji Telefilm's creative direc- tor Ektaa Kapoor's regard for the veteran actress is well known. The buzz is that they're discussing other projects, including a co-pro- duction. But all Irani says is that she's looking forward to work with them, if she's offered another project.