It's that time of the year when TV stars bring out their best Kathiawadi threads and chunkiest baubles - ready to mingle with the Navratri crowds in guest appearances over nine nights. A trend that's caught on in the last few years, TV stars are in increasing demand at Navratri dos, just a few garba steps behind thier Bollywood counterparts. The bottomline ? The fame that accompanies such appearances, and needless to say, the moolah that's waiting to be made. Throw in the added attraction of a paid vacation if it's an overseas Navratri do, and you have the perfect recipe of an annual, long deserved break from back-breaking shoot schedules for our beleagured TV stars!

A welcome break -

Back problems are a past issue for Rucha this Navratri

Rucha Gujarati's been working non stop, trying to complete her assignments before she leaves for her Navratri trip abroad so that she can keep her work related complaints at bay. All this, considering she has been plagued by a backache problem since the last few months. "I am going abroad for 15 days during Navratri for a guest appearance. I had been to the US last year for Navratri for a stage appearance which was a good experience. Such trips help us a great deal as we get to interact with the public who are always inquisitive to know about us, our serials and in the process we get to know about our popularity with the international audience," says an excited Rucha, for whom signing autographs and posing for pictures abroad is a big high.

First time jitters for Kulraj? No way!

Kulraj Kaur, better known as Zee's Kareena is part of the Navratri show for the first time this year. "I am going to the US and am looking forward to mingling with the fans. Besides, it's a pleasant change from the gruelling work schedule, that too, in a great place like the US!," laughs Kulraj, who is all set to tag her mommy dearest along for the trip.

No crossing the seven seas this time for Karishma

Karishma Tanna will be going to Ahmedabad and says she is thankful she is spending Navratri in India this year. "I have spent the last two years abroad during Navratri, and that's a different kind of fun altogether as we shop, chill , eat, relax and meet loads of people but that's only late in the evening as Dandia begins only at night! There is good money involved in such short trips besides it's a decent break from our packed schedules," she laughs.

As for Indian Idol finalist Rahul Vaidya, he says, "I happen to be the only Indian Idol contestant who is going to perform for nine days at a stretch during Navratri, at Ghatkopar in suburban Mumbai. So I'd be taking a break from my rehearsals for my other stage shows and albums."

Navratri is always a 'fab' time for Nausheen

While US and London are understandably crazy about Zee and Sony stars , Dubai worships all of StarPlus, as well as Zee and Sony celebs. Cut to Gujarat which is apparently crazy about most of the TV stars. So stars like-Jassi-Armaan (Mona - Apurva), Hiten-Gauri, Smriti Z Iraani, Urvashi Dholakia, Manav- Shweta Kawatra are welcomed with a red carpet at these places.

Security concerns

Tassnim Sheikh, known better as 'Mohini', has some interesting tales to tell from such trips abroad. "It is unbelievable how much they adore us, they go crazy when we go on stage and they start shouting out our names. In fact, last year, I had a diamond merchant proposing marriage to me in the middle of a show which embarrassed me no end! Some of them really can't digest the fact that I can be so nice in real life as I play such a negative character on screen!," she guffaws.

Tassnim has a lot of Navratri tales to tell

Says Kulraj,"The organizers pay us on a professional level and take care of our traveling and comforts, so I guess we don't really have to worry about being harassed by obsessive fans!"

Moolah and enjoyment galore-

"It's a paid trip where I get to mix pleasure with work and enjoy myself to the hilt. You could say I shop crazily for everything under the sun and end up running short of bags to get the stuff back home.I went to US with the Kkusum family last year. This time, I plan to take either my sister or my fiancé along for the trip," says Tassnim. ".I would also say that there is four times more money in India as regards stage shows than say abroad. In my opinion, if you make Rs 20,000 abroad, you end up making a lakh (Rs 1,00,000) here, of course, it also depends on the popularity of an actor," she says.
"Its a paid holiday for us , and a new country each time, it's the whole package wherein we go shopping, sightseeing et al where we have nothing to lose but only to gain," grins Rucha.

The only 'idol' busy all nine nights? Rahul Vaidya

"Last year I had a fabulous time in London and US during Navratri," says Nausheen Ali Sardar. "I have been abroad with Anuj Saxena, Deepshikha and the Boogie Woogie team," she says.

Ashka Goradia, Kumud from Kkusum, was a garba freak once upon a time and has traveled much of Gujrat with her all boys' troupe. "Garbas are my weakness and we make a 45 minutes appearance where we dance with the crowd. Yes, going abroad means a lot of money. Earlier my troupe was well known all over Ahmedabad because of my performance now I have to just watch others dance," sighs Ashka.

How much, exactly?

Garbas are my weakness - Aashka Goradia

Their current star value determines the rates they command at such dos. Stars like Anuj Saxena are busy with their dual careers in business and serials so prefer to ask for high prices and be choosy about their appearances. Sources say an averagely known TV star can make as much as Rs 30-50,000 per day with such appearances. But a renowned star can make anything between a lakh to three lakh rupees per show abroad, while in India, it varies between Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,00,000!

Interestingly, the prices go up every year according to their popularity and starry tantrums are a common feature too! The number of days, shows, performance, security, facilities is what decides their remuneration. Just recently, we hear that a TV star was approached to go to London for an appearance and was offered Rs 1,50,000 but the star asked for Rs 2,50,000 instantaneously and refused to negotiate.

Now's the time to earn? Shaan is one of the top earners during the season

Singers like Shaan charges anything between Rs 12-15,000 per song and approximately Rs 6,00,000 per show.

Of course, there are those who don't fancy over-exposure at such events. Their numbers are of course, few as the trend is in favour of making hay while the sun shines. And considering that the sun does indeed shine for a short while in these stars' lives, Navratri is a godsend few turn down!