Astitva

Sony TV finally gave us a<em> jhalak </em> of their upcoming show <em> Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,</em> a desi version of Dancing With the Stars. Coupled with some real power packed peformances, the channel unveiled their chosen eight well- known personalities who are determined to put on their dancing shoes.

Mahesh Thakur will soon share important space in Star Plus' afternoon soap <em>Bhabhi</em>. The serial produced by UTV is believed to take a 18 year leap on 2 June. "I play a 45 year old fun loving, warm person who finds humour in serious situations," says Mahesh. He is quick enough to add, "But there is no grey hair". "It is a very positive character. And sooner or later the plot will also show me falling for Dolly Sohi," he adds. Oh oh. So will we see the two of them getting married on screen? "Wait n watch," is all he will reveal.

Kamiya Punjabi's a distressed girl today. Kamiya, who plays Netra and Kiran in Zee's <em>Reth</em> and <em>Astitva</em> respectively met with a bad accident in Mumbai last evening. "I was to make an appearance at the <em>Zee Antakshari</em> finale taking place at Famous Studios, Mahalakshmi. I decided to go to my aunt's place to change since it is located near the studio," she recounts.

Parmeet Sethi wants to opt out of <em>Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin</em>! Reason? Sethi is not taking kindly to the money he is being paid. At the <em>Jassi</em>... ramp show in J W Marriot, speaking on the sidelines, Sethi expressed his disappoointment. "I am not getting enough out here. I am getting much more on Star Plus (<em>Kyunki</em>...). I am getting a good amount on Sahara (<em>Ruby Duby Hub Dub</em>) and Zee (<em>Astitva</em>). So naturally, I feel that I should be paid on similar level in this show as well."

Hasratein, <em>Justajoo</em> and <em>Astitva</em> --- dealing with complex human relationships seems to be his forte. Ajai Sinha, the creator of these critically acclaimed serials has taken on new faces for <em>Astitva</em>, which will take a leap on 15 March. "They have energy and enthusiasm --- the sets come alive with their performance," says Ajai Sinha, adding that they were his find, specially, Abbas Khan, who will play Swapnil, Dr Manas' son. Yuvika Chaudhary, who won the title of India's Best Face in the competition, will play Dr. Simran's daughter (Neha and Abhi's Gudia).

All the masala that is so typical of Hindi serials nowadays, returns with a vengeance in Zee's <em>Astitva --- Ek Prem Kahani</em>, as it takes a leap of 18 years, starting 15 March. While the leap is scheduled just a few weeks away, the new cast is yet to be finalised. Shoot starts February end.

The borders of shows are getting increasingly blurry. While in <em>Kkusum</em> this week, Sony's stars will converge in a party scene, Zee is actually merging the plots of <em>Astitva</em> and <em>Reth</em>.