Ratna Sinha's Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na is being talked about for its content and is being appreciated a lot particularly for its realistic interiors by the viewers. The show is being appreciated for its simplicity although it is a tearjerker. Aastha Chaudhary's character Aastha is being recognised instantly as people are indentifying with the protagonist.

A little birdie told us that initially actress Chhavi Mittal was offered the lead role of Aastha but the producers were clear about casting Aastha as she has the freshness on her face and in her acting.

She is getting her taste of fame as Chhavi's loss has become Aastha's gain.

A little birdie on the sets of Dhoom Mache De told us that Saif Ali Khan’s kid’s Sara and Ibrahim made a surprise visit to grandmom, Sharmila on the sets of where she is one of the judges. It was Sunday afternoon at Yash Raj studio where the shoot of Dhoom Mache De was going on and simultaneously the film shooting of Saif’s Tashan was also going on the same floor.

As Sharmila came out of her makeup room she was shocked on seeing both her grandchildren on the set. Our source tells us that the grandmom and the kids had a gala time but there was no sign of Saif and Kareena, though they were on the same floor.

Mehul Kajaria who is doing the negative character of Vinay Joshi in Babul Ka Aagann Chootey Na is apparently very moody. He keeps asking for adjustment of dates and leave to the scheduler on the sets all the time. As a result the shooting schedule gets disturbed and other actors are made to wait for long hours. It is strange that he is doing only this show and has a very important role yet he is not particular about his work. Some boys never learn their lessons.

Hope his habit of asking for leave doesn't result in his permanent leave in future as in today's times replacement is the order of the day and there is no dearth of actors wanting work.

Rakhi Sawant's created for the camera love life continues to confound. A couple of days after she declared a parting of ways with 'beau' Abhishek Avasthi, the item girl gleefully accepted an engagement ring presented to her by Abhishek. The grand proposal was aired on a news channel last night. However, news has it this was no engagement but yet another one of Rakhi's publicity seeking stunts.

Rakhi endlessly flashed her ring but as things churned out, it was a merely another of her flash for the camera things. A source very close to her says, "Rakhi strongly believes that whenever the engagement happens, it has to be solemnised by both their respective families. Without their presence this rite cannot take place."

As for Rakhi's 'side-car' Abhishek, after this episode, he certainly knows a thing or two about how to 'ring-in' a controversy.

The two boys in Ratan Sinha's Babul Ka Angann Chootey Na, Siddarth Shukla and Faizan Kidwai are being addressed as Amitabh Bachchan courtesy their height which is six feet two inches and six feet one inch respectively. A little birdie tells us that both are very friendly with each other although their on-screen characters are contrasting.

All other co-stars look small in front of them and the joke is that there is not one but two Amitabh Bachchans on the sets. They are left with no choice but to look up to them while performing scenes with them and they are too tall to fit in on the TV screen.

Well guys if Big B can fit in on the TV screen so can you. This is no tall order.

It has been reported that Star Plus was in knots after Ekta pulled out her stars from Salam-e- ishq, a Valentine programme to be aired on Sunday. It was also reported that the channel and the production house (Wizcraft) were compelled to rope in actors from Zee shows.

A source aware of the incident informs, “The production house received a call form the Balaji actors saying that they were unable to participate in the show as Balaji did not want them to be a part of it. It was shocking news for both the channel and production house. They had to rearrange everything.”

Our source continues, “The theme for the show was such that each and every celebrity will promote their own show. For example stars from Kyunki will promote Kyunki… Kayamat actors will promote Kayamat and so on but their withdrawal had cleaned out everything.”

Actors like Sharad and Divyanka, Hussain and Juhi Parmar will be performing at the event. Even Pulkit is part of the show.

“Balaji asked its actors to pull out so the channel had to offer some solution. It was very unprofessional behaviour as nobody knows the exact reason for Balaji’s pull-out,” adds the source.

“The initial meeting with Balaji and Wizcraft went smoothly. They had date problem with Gautami but even that was solved. Rehearsals were done and costumes were made but this sudden back -off ruined everything. The shoot which was supposed to get over in two days took one week. Everything from time, energy and money was wasted,” informs the source.

It was reported that Jay Bhanushali and Panchi Bora were slated to perform at the show. We contacted them to know what exactly went wrong.

“I had a date problem so I backed out,” says Panchi. And Jay says, “I was not even part of the show. Initially I received a call from the channel that they were doing this kind of a show but after that there was no feedback. I don’t understand why newspapers and channels are talking about me.”

Hey Ekta, make friends not enemies. You have enough of those.

A little birdie tells us that the actors Rohit Bakshi aka Piyush of Kahiin Toh Hoga who is currently doing Mere Apne and Aashka Goradia who is also in the same serial are seeing each other.

The actress is often seen doing the rounds of Rohit’s house at Versova. When we contacted Rohit to find out his plans for Valentine’s, he said, “I still do not have a Valentine. I am looking for one. I am single and ready to mingle.”

If Rohit is ready to mingle, Ashka is not. She says, “I am not doing anything this Valentine’s as I am single and not ready to mingle.”

C’mon guys pyar kiya to darna kya?

The iconic daughter-in-law Sakshi Tanwar of Kahanii Ghar Ghar Kii seems to be quite impressed with the young actress Mansi Parekh who is currently doing the serial Remote Control.

The experienced actress congratulated Mansi on her acting skills. Sakshi said, “You are really good in the serial.” Mansi just couldn’t thank her much as the compliment came from an established and viewers’ favourite actress.

Its heart warming to hear genuine praise in a world of fakes.

Sid Makkar aka Shankar of 9X’s Mere Apne who is playing the youngest son of Smriti Irani in the serial is all praise for the versatile actress Smriti. In the soap where everyone thinks Shankar to be a spoilsport and a good- for- nothing person it's Smriti who has complete faith in him.

Sid says, “I 'm amazed to see Smriti's acting prowess. As soon as the director says ‘action’ she gets into the skin of the character and the moment it is ‘cut’ she comes out of the character. She takes only one take to perform like a pro. It's lovely to have such experienced actors around as they are very inspiring and one can always learn so much from them.”

You learn and you earn from them as well. Becoz this praise is for sure getting you your next role.

‘You lose your originality in trying to imitate others’. That’s one of the many Sidhuisms that we’ve been subject to over many years. After going through this ordeal, Sidhu’s critics will be pleased to hear that the man who talks about originality himself is an impressionist.

This truth was unearthed by none other than Sidhu’s co-judge on Laughter Challenge, Shekhar Suman. Uncovering the lid off the bottle, Shekhar says, “While doing Laugther, we were always surprised by the regular presence of a portly individual on the sets. He used to always hold a book in his hand. One fine day, I cornered him and asked him whether he was related to any contestant. I was taken aback when he told me that he is Sidhu’s aid and the one who write his Sidhuisms.”

He adds, “The real fun began when we hid his book and the shooting had to be stalled for three hours. We kept telling Sidhu that you needn’t worry about the book as you must be having your Sidhuism at the tip of your tongue. However, Sidhu insisted that he wouldn’t begin till the book was found. After three hours, we finally gave his book and the show commenced. None of us could stop laughing.”

We have heard of speech writers for our politicians, but passing on another’s ‘proverbs’ as your own is way too tacky.

Navniit Nisshan who is best remembered for her role in Tara is currently seen in Maverick’s comedy show Gupshup Coffee Shop. Navniit is playing the role of a grandmother in the serial. Not many know that the talented actress also harnesses a hidden talent for interior decoration. The actress has done up her own home and even that of friends and relatives. The actress wants to create a balance between TV and films and at the same time pursue her passion for interior designing.

Now all the actors who are on a home buying/renovating spree know whom to contact.