Kavita returns to ‘Yes Boss’

Kavita returns to ‘Yes Boss’

Sapana Patil Poojary Kavita Kapoor will be back on ‘Yes Boss’ (SAB). She had been replaced by Sonia Kapoor by the channel after it decided to give the show a younger and fresher look. The channel had also changed the plot of the serial from an ad agency to a newsroom. However, the once hit show could not maintain its popularity and the channel is now forced to get its original cast back. Kavita says, “The channel wanted to experiment with their ideas and hence I was replaced. And now that they have decided to be back with the original cast, I decided to be back again.” So didn’t it hurt her to be replaced and then asked to be back again? “Well, I wasn’t informed that I will be replaced. I was in Poona when I got to know this from a journalist. I was slightly hurt but at that time, I had other bigger issues to attend to. So I didn’t call the channel and ask them why they replaced me. And the people who had brought about the change are no more with the channel. So if I am wanted, then I would definitely go back because this is my show.” Apart from Kavita’s replacement, there were several other problems that cloaked the show’s unit. It is alleged that the channel interfered in the unit’s affairs and demanded several last-minute changes causing undue pressure on the unit. Apart from that, they got Nigaar Khan and Romanchak on board but couldn’t justify their characters. Eventually, they removed them too. Says director Rajan Wagdhare, “The channel made a lot of changes in the serial. So much that, it didn’t look like the original serial at all. The viewers didn’t like the new changes and the channel has realised that.” He continues, “The channel’s staff keeps changing. Every time, someone new takes over, he wants to contribute to the show. And he does that by making unnecessary changes; thus spoiling the show completely. The show has been altered so many times, that it has lost its originality.” Rajan adds, “However, the new business head, Anooj Kapoor is a nice man. He has given me a free hand and I expect things to return to normalcy.” Anooj Kapoor, business head, SAB, says, “The team that was there before me did not intend to be interfering. It is just that their creative opinion was different from that of Rajan. And mine happens to be in synergy with Rajan.” I am just facilitating Rajan in rebuilding the strong brand that ‘Yes Boss’ has been.”

Dipsshikha's double deal

Dipsshikha is back to acting on television with not one but two shows. She has signed a show for BAG films (Anuradha Prasad) and another for Maverick Productions (Anuj Saxena).

In the past few months, Dipsshikha had been concentrating on her film career and hence was seen making sporadic cameo appearances on TV. "With the launch of several new entertainment channels, I am being offered good roles in different projects," she reveals.

Dipsshikha adds, "The BAG films' show is titled 'Kalyani'. I play a positive character called Maya who is a rich Gujarati lady. It is a powerful role and that convinced me to take up the role." The show will be telecast on 9X.

Quiz her about her role in the Maverick Productions' show and she says, "I can't disclose more at the moment as talks are still on." The show will be telecast either on Sony or SAB. Incidentally, this will be Anuj's second soap with Set India after his maiden venture 'Kulvaddhu' was taken off-air in March this year.

That apart, Dipsshikha also has an offer from B R Chopra's production house. "I wish I had 40 days in a month. I liked the concept, but I won't be able to take it up as my dates will be blocked with these two shows."

Dipsshikha adds, "I truly believe that this is my second innings. I am not only getting back to TV, but my film career has also taken a leap," she says adding, "I was just sitting at home doing nothing when I got a call from David Dhawan's office for 'Partner'. I'm glad my role was appreciated. Plus, I am acting in a Bhojpuri film with Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kissen."

She modestly continues, "I am God's favourite child. People say I haven't got my due as an actor; which I take as a compliment and think that maybe I wasn't at the right place at the right time. But now things are getting better. How many people get a second chance?"

She sums up, "I have learnt one thing from my parents—keep your personal and professional life separate. Have the right attitude and there shall be no disappointments."

Why Nupur skipped the awards

Shameem Khan

It was an event, which no actor would want to miss. But actor Nupur Joshi, who was to receive the Best Bhai-Behen Award with onscreen brother Ayub Khan (in ‘Rakhi’ Zee) at the Zee Rishton Ka Utsav Awards ceremony, had to forego her big moment because of her illness.
Unfortunately, she was hospitalised the same day with a serious bout of malaria and jaundice.
Producer Rupali Guha says, “Just a day before the awards, I got an urgent call from my crew that Nupur was feeling unwell. She had been to a party the night before and was throwing up since then. Though she still made it to the shoot, she couldn’t carry on. We rushed her to the hospital since she lives by herself in Mumbai. Right now, she is slowly recovering but is extremely weak.”
What happens to the show, which has her in the lead?
“Thankfully, I have a bank of episodes that should sustain me this week. I am trying to incorporate scenes that don’t require her. That should give the girl some rest before she resumes,” says Rupali.
Co-star Ayub Khan sounds concerned too.
“It’s really sad that she couldn’t make it to the function. But I had the award sent to her hospital. I hear she was cushioning it under her pillow and saying, ‘It’s my baby’. Nupur is a very sweet girl. I hope she gets well soon.”
The show, which airs in the afternoon slot, has won massive viewers with a TRP rating of 2.4.

A fading 'Jhalak'

It’s over. As I handed my green stiletto pumps with golden braids back to my mother, I realised my dancing days were over. I had just done my last ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ act. No more pirouettes in public. No more wide sweeps of the hand while indulging in casual conversation. No more using just three toes to carry an 85 kilo body, a feat which most physicists deemed impossible.

But let me relive the last few seconds of the show as host Rohit Roy, with his permanently arched eyebrows, dealt the coup de grace. I felt my lower body going somewhat numb. It was only after a few seconds that I realised, this was due to my choreographer Rosita grinding her heel into my foot, in an endeavour to ensure I was both paying attention and would indulge in a spontaneous display of emotion. This I did in the most dignified way by yelling, “Get off my foot you idiot,” to my pretty dance mistress.

Of course, judge Shiamak Davar thought I was addressing the remark to him and in a spontaneous display of emotion flung Sandhya Mridual’s silver seven-inch platform shoes at my head. As the shoes missed me and hit Mika Singh all hell broke loose. Contestants attacked contestants. Stockings, tights, pumps heels were flying everywhere.

Even the legendry Jeetendra got up once to protect the gorgeous Urmila Matondkar from the fury of flying footwear.
As each contestant was strapped down I was shown the door, but not before each judge sang some words of encouragement. Shiamak said, “Never again please.” Urmila said, “Keep going for God’s sake don’t come back.”

However, it was the legendary Jeetendra who touched me the most with his eclectic remark, “Who are you?”I would have stayed and argued but from the corner of my eye I saw Mika coming forward, lips tightly pursed.