Is TV more ruthless than B'wood?
The downside of Tellydom
In what seemed like a bizarre coincidence, a single day's newspaper headlines announced how three big stars were about to get the boot from their respective producers. Three major Mumbai publications – Mid Day, Mumbai Mirror and Bombay Times – reported the alleged ousters of three big TV stars on the same day.
According to reports, Narayani Shastri will soon be shown the door in Zee's Mamta. Shweta Tiwari's days in Star's Kasautii Zindagii Kay are also numbered. And though she was not confirmed, Shveta Salve lost the chance to host Jhalak Dikhla Ja 2 to Mona Singh, her rival in the first season of the very same dance show.
One may laugh aloud that bad things happen in threes. But on more serious note, this series of high-profile ousters conveyed much more. Despite their star status and fancy airs, these actresses (and actors) are just another set of employees for their producers. Ekta Kapoor was quoted as saying in Bombay Times about actors having misconceptions that the show runs on their steam.
But, she isn't entirely incorrect. Who else could know better? Her production house, Balaji Telefilms has sustained many such blows. Despite four high-profile walkouts (Amarr Upadhyay, Apara Mehta, Smriti Irani and Ketaki Dave) from– Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi – their flagship show, it still remains the most popular show on television. So popular, Ketaki returned to it shortly.
