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.

In 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.

By now it's old hat that Vikas Manektala aka Hooda of Left Right Left has a huge attitude and doesn't miss any opportunity to throw his weight around.

According to the grapevine, Vikas picks up a fight with everyone from the spot boy to the dress designer, including his co-stars. Recently, when they were shooting a scene where Dr.Shalini (Aparna Tilak) turns into a crystal gazer and predicts the future of the cadets and others, Vikas refused to shoot. Neither did he leave the sets but sat outside saying unless and until his payment was made, he will not shoot.

Of course, not that this bothered the director who went ahead with the scene without Vikas, although he is one of the main characters in the serial.

Reports have been filtering in regarding his high-handed behaviour with everyone except Priyanka, Naina in the serial, for whom he has a soft corner. It is believed that they are seeing each other.

The serial deals with men in uniform, training cadets for military enrolment and is quite a hit on SAB TV, with actors like Puneet Issar, Rajeev Khandelwal, Shveta Salve, Aparna Tilak and Priya Arya besides a lot of youngsters as new comers like Vikas Manektala, Kunal Kapoor, Priyanka Bassi and Ghazal Rai. Versatile actor Rajesh Khera had also essayed the role of a Major on the campus.