We all know about the recently held bash hosted by Jay and Kinnari Mehta celebrating Sindoor Tere Naam Ka's 500 episodes. The entire cast and crew was spotted letting their hair down and having a good time. But what pinched the most was the conspicuous absence of the show's former leading lady Gurdeep. At one point in time, Sindoor was almost synonymous with Gurdeep.

She was associated with this daily since the start but her character was knocked off by the makers. Reasons cited: Gurdeep's high handed behavior on the sets or then was it because she got too busy with Nach Baliye. And this led to inclusion of a new character, a new lead, Aashka Goradia. In a nutshell, Gurdeep's ouster happened on a bitter note, so bad that a co-actor reportedly commented that her exit put a smile on everyone's face.

And this frigid relationship enjoys the same status even today as can be seen from the invitation list of this bash where Gurdeep didn't even figure. Guess people should just let bygones be bygones.

A lot has been written about why Sony's Kulvuddhu was axed. But here's what a channel head honcho had to say "There's really no conspiracy here. It's just that after working two months on the show, we realized that the story wasn't moving the way we wanted it to. And the lead protagonist Niyati didn't really fit into our channel profile."

So, which way should Sony's fiction programming be moving? Well, here goes, "We clearly want to differentiate out programming for the young, aspirational women who want to go out there and achieve something for themselves. So, we're not looking at a typical housewife, so a Kkusum or a Jassi clearly fits our bill."

Well, well so looks like the lead protagonist Niyata was actually going in the Viruddh direction.

Latest offering from Ekta's camp, Kayamath was just in it's blooming stage when suddenly news has poured in that the show's Mr. Dependable- ace actor Mohnish Behl will be soon knocked out.

As one of the actor, on anonymity terms has revealed, the story will reach a stage where Mohnish (who plays Panchi's father) finds out that Eijaz Khan (who is engaged to his daughter) is a fraud and a married man. This serves as a major blow which leads to his untimely death. Thereafter the show will shift gears to becoming a major tear jerker peppered with full on romance.

With fresh leads - Panchi Bohra and Jay Bhanushali in its casting list, the only thing most bankable about this love saga was the presence of Mohnish. And if one goes by the track, the script quite highlighted the beautiful bond between the father-daughter. Now if the show's going to do away with this angel (which really made the show stand out), Kayamath might just become another melancholic Balaji show.

It is natural to be possessive in love, and this side to Kishwer Merchant came to the fore when at the Holi party, beau Hiten probably got a little high on bhang or did the most normal thing to do given it was Holi celebrations and a little mauj-masti was allowed.

Manmeet Gulzar and wife Karishma had got along two hot and sexy female friends of theirs. It is rumoured this was done in an attempt to keep Neeraj Rawal company but inadvertently Hiten too played Holi with the girls, splashing colours and having a good time in general which his girlfriend did not take lightly. There was a slight skirmish between them after which everything was back to normal.

Says a TV actor on conditions of anonymity, "Hiten must have sowed his wild oats in the past, but after he got hitched to Kishwer, he has been totally loyal to her." So, that goes to make it clear that Merchant's suspicious nature should not get the better of her in the future.

The buzz goes that apni Shweta Tiwari aka Prerna Bajaj of Kasauti Zindagi kay has got into a habit of always reporting late on the sets. A colleague on condition of anonymity says, " the day I have to shoot with Shweta, I purposely come in late. There's no point reporting early and I've to sit twiddling my thumb there."

But then doesn't Balaji have a policy of punishing late comers with a fee cut? It seems Shweta plays smart and refuses to shoot until her cut is restored and the production people give in to her demands. Looks like Balaji does not want to antagonize Shweta for her character is too deeply etched in public mind.

Well, well Kasauti has just lost Cezanne, and now they cannot afford to lose Shweta too.

Heard of being evil, but Mrinal Deshraj has seriously taken this one step ahead and transformed into being something more than humanly evil. Mrinal, who recently finished shooting for her previous show Kaahin To Hoga on Star Plus has managed to bag another weekly show. She will appear for two episodes of Lucky and will be seen playing the character of Naagin in the main lead with Gautam Rhode.

But currently she is slightly pepped up because this is the first time she has gone for an outdoor shoot to Baroda. And that's not it, it's her bizarre look that one has to watch out for. As a naagin, she will be seen with gaudy clothes, painted nails and red lenses to give it a freaky look. Apparently now everyone addresses her as naagin on the sets. So much so that some on of them don't even know her actual name.

Waise bhi ..what's in a name Mrinal???

News has floated that Ashwini Kalsekar. will once again revive her association with Sony's CID. On popping some memory pills, one can recall that years back, this talented actor enjoyed a sound spell on this long running hit investigative show before hitting jackpot as Jigyasa with Zee's Kasamh Se. Producer - director, BP Singh has confirmed this comeback by stating, "She will appear on my show in the not too distant future. Ashwini will be playing a senior cop and will be seen in quite a few episodes."

Kalsekar, who has bagged this year's Indian Telly Award for best actress in a negative role, was in fact invited by Singh for the recently held 10-year celebratory bash for CID. And it was at this occasion that the director offered her to join them back to which Ashwini agreed.

We are sure this Maharashtrian mulgi will again woo her audiences as her golden days are already on the roll, with Sony's Jeete Hain Jiske Liye and a-soon-to-be-unveiled project in her kitty.

BIn keeping with image of World cup cricket host country, West Indies, as a fun and a happening place, Set Max has re designed the studio of Extraaa Innings, its famous pre and post match show hosted by noodle strap Mandira Bedi and cricket wizard Charu Sharma. The formal studio type look seen in previous editions will be replaced by a casual look and feel. This time around the host & panelist( Tony Greig, Ian Chappell John Wright with not sit uptight but will rather move away from the desks and lounge around fancy coffee tables.

There will also be an projection behind that will play interesting facets of the Caribbean Islands, its happening beaches and beautiful and friendly people. By now we all know a lot about Mandy's hep sarees and blouses, wonder what clothes Charu and other guests will wear?

In keeping with the above trend, hope they turn up in multi coloured Hawain shirts and short with a typical straw hats, guzzling chilled bear and passing flirty remarks, besides talking about cricket as well.