Kiss & make up
Priyanko Sarkar, Posted: Jun 11, 2010 at 1507 hrs IST
Star Plus-Ekta Kapoor court each other after hauling each other to court in 2008
They successfully changed the rules of the game in the television industry when they first came together in 2000. Now, after an acrimonious two-year wait, Star Plus and Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms are coming back with a new show called Tere Liye.
From Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii to Kyunki ... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to Kasauti Zindagi Kay to Kaahin Toh Hoga, the Balaji-Star Plus combination has given the small screen iconic couples from these shows in the form of Sujal-Kashish, Om-Parvati and Mihir-Tulsi. The agreement between the two was that Balaji would not produce any show for a rival channel while Star Plus would screen all Balaji's shows on prime-time. Relationships went sour after both parties backed out of the agreement. Star India CEO Uday Shankar admitted as much and said, "Our earlier agreement had imposed a forced discipline on our partnership wherein Balaji could do primetime shows only for Star Plus. But there are no new clichs attached to our new relationship."
Ekta Kapoor, who had gone to the Bombay High Court challenging Star Group's decision to terminate the longest-running daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi before it's contractual date made light of the issue saying, "My writers also take me to court and then we start working together again."
Emphasising that the relationship was back on track, Kapoor said, "Ten years ago, I got my identity with Star Plus. But change is the only constant in life. Ups and downs are an important part in one's life, but we've put everything behind us now." She refused to be speak on the topic anymore and said, "When you sit down with your family, you don't talk about a fight you had two years ago."
Commenting on the 10 pm slot fixed for Tere Liye, Shankar said, "The 10 pm slot has a lot of history to it. It has always been Ekta's slot so it was only natural for her to have it back." Ekta said that after a long gap, she has given a part of her to a show. "The story is about the realisation of love at 16. We've had love stories about children and adults but not teenagers. Tere Liye showcases the agony of having the first pimple, shaving for the first time, celebrating Valentine's Day in college etc. I have the story in my mind, but not the script. It is my tribute to the wonder years," she said. Shankar said that the show was a test for other Balaji shows to roll on the Star Network. "We have a partnership, not a tie-up with Balaji Telefilms. There are plans to screen a couple of other shows from Ekta's production house across the Star Network." Ekta, too, seemed happy at the prospect. "Star launches more hit channels than I launch soaps. It's great to be associated with the Network." The show is set against the backdrop of Bengal, a place that Ekta Kapoor describes as having a pace of its own.
"The trams, the addas and the aspirations of the people there compelled me to set the show in Bengal," she said. Kapoor said that there was no business decision to set the show in Bengal. "I like the charm, innonence and beauty of Kolkata. I'm not targetting the Bengal crowd with this show. If I wanted to do that, I'd set the show in Bihar considering they comprise the largest audience base," she said.
Tere Liye is a love story about two soulmates who are separated by circumstances and subsequently reunited by their love. Anupriya Kapoor, who plays Tani and Harshad Chopra who plays Anuraag, form the lead pair of the show. The show premieres on June 14 at 10 pm on Star Plus and will run from Monday to Friday. Sabki Laadli Bebo, which currently airs at 10 pm, will shift to the 6.30 pm slot.
Edited by Pyari_Zahra - 13 years ago
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