Is Ayesha Jhulka the new Kkusum?

The buzz on the sets of Kkusum is that former filmstar and current theatre artiste Ayesha Jhulka is the new face of Kkusum. The grapevine is abuzz with rumours that the channel and production house are currently working on her look and hairstyle.

Ayesha was last seen playing sister to Abhishek Bachchan in a film titled Run which itself did not have a great box office run.

Why Ayesha for Kkusum? Firstly, because she can't play a heroine any more on the big screen. Secondly, good money would be involved as it is a daily soap and a title role to boot. Ayesha has done some television episodes on Zee's Kabhi Kabhie.

The question is, will Ayesha be a meet mate for the suave but definitely younger looking Anuj Saxena, who himself is shortly going to be seen on the big screen in Lips.

Has Ayesha shed all the weight she had gained post marriage? Manasi Joshi Roy, who makes her exit soon (her last shoot is on 10 April) might be saying that she will be brought back, but is there any guarantee at all in television serials these days?

Moreover, viewers have not forgotten that Mahi, played by Poonam Narula, (who took a maternity break from the show) too has to be brought back into the show. After all, Kali's mom has to be brought back sooner or later into the plot by the makers.

From what we hear, chaos currently rules the Kkusum sets, with most of the cast and crew clueless about where the story is headed. The buzz is that if not Ayesha, it will be another prominent film actress, as that will help the show to counter Vinta Nanda's Miilee on Star Plus. The decision on who's to be the new Kkusum will be taken only after Ekta Kapoor returns from Malaysia with the Kasautii... team.

That's crucial, because it is the new Kkusum who will go to Malaysia with Abhay, Taashu and a few lead characters in April!

Pic courtesy Telegraph India

Great going Gurdeep!

Gurdeep is in news for more than a reason. She makes her appearance in Sinndoor on Zee TV next week playing a mentally unstable Vedika. She will have the honour to host the Red carpet for Zee Cine awards in London to be telecast on 27 March. Also, watch out for her performance in Star Parivaar's Rang Barse on 20th March.



Contributed by Sapana Patil

Ba not doing 'Ye Meri Life Hai'
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Sony has to find someone other than Sudha Shivpuri for playing mother to Inder Gujral and girlfriend to mischevious grandson Ronit. Shivpuri has opted out.

Although a lot of women were considered for the role, producer Vipul Shah settled on Shivpuri because her acting abilities fitted the range of the role.

Shivpuri’s character of Baa on Kyunki... was supposed to be eased off air, because the show was taking a 20-year age leap.

But the latest is that the leap has been postponed. Hence Sudha's inability in this regard. When contacted, Sudha explained, "I won't be able to shuttle between two sets. I agreed on YMLH because I was told that my death was nearing in Kyunki.... But now I'll be there as long as the leap does not occur. Now I hear that the leap may happen in July or August."

Is Manasi Joshi-Roy on her way out from 'Kkusum'?
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The rumour mills are working overtime that Manasi Joshi-Roy will no longer play Kkusum in Kkusum- Balaji's show on Sony. We hear, Shilpa Saklani is one of the front contenders for the role.

Uff! Is this going to be a Mihir Virani-like saga, the character from Kyunki.... who changed not once but twice?

When contacted, Manasi said, "I am fit and fine. I am putting all my energies from 9 am to 6 pm, and at times, go even beyond if need be. I am still shooting. There is no replacement coming."

On the other hand, Saklani offered, "I have been offered (a long pause) but I don't know which role. Let's see. Ekta is a little caught up with a few things. Plus I haven't yet given my consent."

Over to Ekta's trusted lieutenant, Nivedita Basu. "We have offered Saklani a role in Kkusum but that's another character, a negative role. Kkusum is not changing," Basu squashed the rumours.

Prior to Manasi, Nausheen Ali Sardar enacted this portrayal. Today, she is doing Star Plus' Kalcchakra which has thus far failed to garner any appreciable response.

For more on this if any, watch this space...


Ekta's new serial with Smriti
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The 20-year leap that Kyunki Saas... takes on April 14 may see Tulsi in an oldish get-up, but Ekta Kapoor who discovered her seems to have another ace up her sleeve. "I am making a serial which would have Smriti playing a 25-year old. It will be a weekly which would be telecast on weekends." Wow! But for which channel, Ekta? "My lips are sealed," she smiles.

Ekta's love for her mom
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More on the Queen of Soaps. Ekta Kapoor's new investment- the four storeys she has bought recently- may go only partially utilised. While three floors, she tells us, will be utilised for- parties, sauna, steam, office, library and lots more, the floor which was originally planned as Ekta's residence may go fully vacant. Reason? Ekta cannot shift into her new house! "I can't stay away from my mother. Initially, I thought that I'd stay alone, lekin nahin ho raha hai." So what hapopens to the fourth floor? "I don't know," she sighs.

Karishma signs her first film
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Karishma Tanna has signed her first film. The shapely Gujju lass will play Bobby Deol's sister in Suneel Darshan's Dosti. The film also stars Kareena Kapoor and Lara Dutta in lead roles. Karishma started shooting for the film in Filmistan yesterday. Their last film together Ajnabee set the cash registers ringing quite loudly but owing to some misunderstandings, Bobby and Kareena had decided against working with each other. Suneel may not say it, but he is surely responsibble for the patch-up. After all, who doesn't want to hear those sweet rings of success?

Sameer to pen Indian Idol Album
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Lyricist Sameer who is celebrating 25 years in the industry has been signed to write for the prestigious album of the Indian Idol winner. The album is to be released by Sony Music. According to Sameer, the album will be written keeping inmind Abhijeet's temperament, taste and singing ability.