Shweta Tiwari News

Now you see me, now you don’t: Shweta Tiwari

RUMOUR HAS IT…

Even though Ekta Kapoor is winging her way to Bali with some of her actor friends to bring in the New Year, the Balaji czarina is all set to strike with a new publicity gimmick for one of her shows before the year ends.

Sony recently unleashed its new show Kulvaddhu with a publicity blitzkrieg and its timings clash with Kapoor’s popular show Kasautii Zindagii Kay on Star Plus. Those in the know say that Ekta will now create a buzz for Kasautii so that its TRPs don’t suffer (remember Parvati bhabhi’s makeover that clashed with Sony’s Bigg Boss?).

The hot gup doing the rounds in Balaji corridors is that Ekta is planning to bump off protagonist Shweta Tiwari from the show! And as we know only too well, this is not the end for good old Prerna. In true Balaji tradition, Prerna will be back in the drama before you start missing her too much. After all, don’t they all rise from the dead in Balaji soaps?

Seeking divine intervention: The Kasautii team

Is Kasautii Zindagii Kay being yanked off air? The buzz in the telly circles is that the show, which has become extremely lacklustre of late, is on its last leg.

Anurag Basu (Cezanne Khan) and his family have been missing from the Balaji daily for quite a while. It is learnt that Cezanne has been missing in action as he has been shooting in Dubai for a show with ARY channel.

Several character actors have either walked out of the show in the past few months as they have nothing to do, and those who have steadfastly stuck on, are waiting for a call to resume shooting. Along with Kyunki and Kahaani, Kasautii has been Balaji’s driving force on Star Plus since the last five years. Despite a loyal viewership, the drama at present lacks that Balaji punch.

Time off

When asked producer Ekta Kapoor, however, maintains, “Kasautii is not shutting down. It is doing well.”

But the truth is far from it. It is learnt that the lead cast of Shweta Tiwari, Ronit Roy and Cezanne have been intermittently away for certain periods of time in the past few months — the reason why there were changes in the story track. Shweta was busy with Nach Baliye 2 and then she had an eye operation. Then Ronit was away in the US for some time and Cezanne took time off, too.

So obviously the drama had to start focusing on the others. Moreover, the sobering down of the menacing Prem (Manoj Bohra) proved to be a disappointment to viewers.

Says an onlooker, “The buzz that Kasautii is going off air has been doing the rounds for a while now, but there’s been no final decision yet. The show has been on for five years and it looks like it has reached saturation point. It is now focusing on Mr Bajaj’s brother. There are talks in progress and some key members of the cast have been asked how they would like to take the show forward at this juncture.”

Though there is nothing official about it, at the moment Kasautii’s dying plot has been noticed and that it needs a shot in the arm. Incidentally, in the same time slot there is Dulhann on Zee, Solhah Singaar on Sahara One while Sony is set to air its new drama, Kulvaddhu, from Christmas day.

The final jodis: The 15 minute non-stop riveting performance belted by the jodi no 2, Yash-Gauri and jodi no 8, Tina-Hussain was a treat to the senses. The songs chosen for this medley (khaike paan, jhum jhum, rock n roll) gave enough scope to the contestants to flaunt their steps individually, as a couple and as a foursome.

Thumps up: What needs special mention are the fab outfits donned by Tina-Hussian, especially the lady which made her look like a dazzling porcelain doll!

Thumps down: Can someone please tell Tina’s hairdresser that her hairdo was not apt for the moment, it came undone step by step making her uneasy by the end.

The evicted jodis: Sans any pressure of being evaluated, all the other contestants grooved together like one big family! Gauri-Hiten and Sharad-Keerti’s performance, though not that impressive was covered up by the looks department while newly weds, Arjun-Gurdeep gave their first performance post their wedding with a jhadu in their hand. Senior couple, Rasik and Ketki played safe by hip-shaking on a retro number. To watch the two effortless and suave dancers, Manav and Gaurav together, was quite remarkable! But Mr. Chopra’s dulcinea, Narayani seemed quite disinterested in the on goings. She made a comment “waise main to bura hi bolti hu?”(blame it on a bad hair day?).

Thumps up: It has to be the electrifying and groovy performance by Sarojji’s favourite, Shweta Tiwari who raised the mercury level by dancing on crazy kiya re. Proof needed? Kunal literally broke into sweat!!!

Thumps down: Must say Bhaktiar lacks sportsmanship! He’s still not got over the depression of his ouster and couldn’t even plaster a fake smile though his to be better half, Tanaaz played diplomatic to the hilt!

The judges: More than the jodis it were the judges who were bubbling with enthusiasm, so much that on every track played, they kept dancing in spite of being glued to their chairs. The editing department must have had a tough time putting together both the jodis and the judges dancing in one frame (lol). Saroj Khan took centre stage as she displayed her aadayein, her trademark thumnkas on main saat samundar and she rightly deserved a thunderous applause!

Thumps up: The sexy and spellbinding performance by Malaika (in an ultra sexy black ensemble) on yeh mera dil wins hands down. Tagged as a tribute to her Helen aunty, this act can easily beat the latest version in SRK’s Don. Is Farhan Akhtar regretting?

Thumps down: And what about Kunal??? Why didn’t he do ‘chance pe dance’ like the Khan ladies?

The choreographers: All the dance instructors to the TV celebs grabbed the limelight as each came forth and displayed what they know best! And what better song to be selected – Nach Baliye Remixed!

Thumps up: The harmony and fusion created between the choreographers was quite appealing!

Thumps down: When given a mike, the choreographers first are simply at loss words but once they get accustomed to it, we witness a verbal diarrhea!!! And before we forget to mention, Arjun-Gurdeep’s choreographer Pinky (who has often buttered Sarojji) needs to spank her designer! She looked an eyesore in those tacky and garish green pants.

The anchors: If we call this finale episode a well baked cake, the yummy icing can be credited to the anchors Shabbir Alhuwalia and Rajev Paul who entertained one and all with their Munna-Circuit spoof. Though unlike Arshad, Rajev has two left feet, he backed the small screen Munna with his funny mannerisms.

Thumps up: It was the hunk of tellydom, Shabbir who charmed everyone with his comic timing, his dialogue delivery and his tapori dance! Bollywood, are you listening?

Thumps down: Once again the fairer sex (Sangeeta Ghosh in this case) was left with just the same old task卆dd oomph to the show!