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The great Indian 'K'hitpit

Ekta Kapoor talks about Smriti Irani quitting Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Back to Section Stories Posted On Saturday, April 28, 2007


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Subhash K Jha

No, thanks! Smriti Irani

A mentor-protge relationship gone wrong, Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Irani's fallout is straight out of a K-serial. Smriti's stepping down as Tulsi and flying solo reads like the final blow to their relationship. Will Kyunkii… crumble with one of its strongest pillars knocked down?

The grapevine is abuzz with Ekta's displeasure at Smriti's successful stint as a TV producer. Sources say that Smriti has three more shows lined up besides the two that are currently on air. Viruddh is also quite a rage with couch potatoes. In contrast, many K-shows are being reworked, etc.

So is it the end of the great rapport between Smriti and Ekta? Ekta responds cautiously, "I've the highest regard for Smriti professionally. On a personal level, I wouldn't like to comment on where our friendship stands today. Will Kyunkii… survive without Smriti? All I can say God is on our side."

Goodbye: Ekta Kapoor

Cracks first began to show up in the Ekta-Smriti friendship when Kyunkii… took the second 20-year leap. The 31-year-old Smriti was obviously unhappy with playing almost thrice her age on screen. Later, Smriti shifted focus to her own show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Aasman (co-produced by Ekta). After Ekta pulled out of Thodi… Smriti started work on Viruddh. Apparently, it was getting too monotonous for Smriti to play Tulsi for seven long years.

Ekta Kapoor says, "Yes, Smriti is taking a break from playing Tulsi. The change is happening on air between May 21 and May 25. I've zeroed in on three names in Smriti's place. They are Padmini Kolhapure, Gautami Gadgil and Poonam Dhillon. While we're in advanced stages of discussion with the first two, Poonam has just been approached."

By the end of next week, Ekta intends to finalise the new Tulsi. But she insists it's not a final goodbye to Smriti. "Smriti is busy with her production house. She's taking a break from Kyunkii… I am getting a new Tulsi now. But I can't comment on what will happen in the future," she says.