Best of '08: Top 10 controversies on TV
Unlike
other times, year 2008 has been quite controversial in the world of
television. We take a look at all the small screen fiascos that grabbed
the headlines through the year.
Controversy No1: Sudden Adieu to Ekta's Kyunki
Ekta
career started off with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi about 8 years
ago on Star Plus. The soap gave her immense name and fame and made her
from 'Ekta' to the 'Soap Queen Ekta'. But she herself couldn't have
imagined that the show which made her prove herself would be pulled off
some day. It had to abruptly wind up and with it end a big television
era in November.
Controversy No 2: Prachi Desai heads to Bollywood
Prachi
Desai, who rose to fame as Bani, decided to quit Kasamh Se as she
wanted to move to greener pastures – read Bollywood. However it seems
mentor Ekta wasn't very happy with the move and it took a whole lot of
pleading for Desai to be back in Ekta's good books.
Controversy No 3: Month Long Blackout
Worker's
strike followed by producer's strike and then junior artist kept the
viewers of small screen waiting for fresh episodes as the strike lead
to a one month blackout. Further this how ever came to an end after a
long talk where the matter was finally resolved.
Controversy No 4: Smriti quits Kyunki and then comes back
Smriti
launched her own production house last year which didn't go down well
with Ekta Kapoor. Soon enough we heard of Smriti's departure from
Kyunki. Tulsi's character was replaced by Gautami Kapoor. However after
few months, falling TRPs for Ekta and flop production projects for
Smriti forced the two to bury their differences and Smriti was soon
back as Tulsi again.
Controversy No 5: First Heer, then Prem sacked from Kis Des…
Additi
Gupta who played the female protagonist of Kis Des Mein Hai Mera Dil
was sacked soon after the show went on air for throwing tantrums on the
sets. However she decided to mend her ways and was back in a week. But
with her return, we saw the exit of Harshad Chopra. His character was
made to die as he was in trouble with the producers for not giving
required time for shooting. But he too came back after 2 months!
Controversy No 6: Ekta's Mahabharat going off-air
There
was immense hype surrounding Ekta's magnum opus, Kahaani Hamaare
Mahabharat Kii even before it was telecast on TV. But it turned out to
be a colossal disappointment for all of Ekta's fans, as it failed in
terms of direction, acting, costumes and cinematography. It is tipped
to go off-air soon as the shooting has been stalled for more than two
months.
Controversy No 7: Rajshree Thakur sacked from Saat Phere
Rajshree
Thakur who played Saloni in Zee TV's Saat Phere was accused of throwing
tantrums on the sets and demanding more money than producers thought
she deserved. Miss Newly Married too was finding it difficult to adjust
and give the assigned time to the show. So she will leave the show in
January 2009 by mutual consent between her and the channel.
Controversy No 8: Kasauti, Kyunki and Kahaani… finally off air.
No
one (neither the stars nor the viewers) could have ever imagined that
big shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kasauti Zindagi Ki and Kyunki Saas
Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi which have kept audiences glued since 2000 to bid
adieu to their fans in such an unexpected manner. The drooping TRPs off
the show caused them to be pulled off air after an eight year long run.
Controversy No 9: Raja Chaudhary makes news for all the wrong reasons
Bigg
Boss 2 runner-up and Shweta Tiwari's ex-husband Raja Chaudhary has been
in the news for controversial reasons after wrapping up Bigg Boss 2.
Starting with his misbehavior at Sanjay Nirupam's party followed by
misbehaving with a female astrologer, to being arresting for
driving-under-influence and stealing clothes and shoes worth Rs.10, 000
from Zulfi Syed's showroom at Sahara Star, Raja Chaudhary has hogged
the limelight for nothing praise-worthy. No wonder all his housemates
think he needs psychiatric treatment.
Controversy No 10: Failure of shows from Smriti Irani's production house
Smriti
started her production house with Thodi Zameen, Thoda Aasmaan (Star
Plus) late last year. The show ended in mid 08'. She further tried her
luck as a producer with Viruddh (Sony), Mere Apne (9X) followed by
Waaris (Zee TV) which hardly ran for two months. Clearly, this
successful TV star is not a successful TV producer. After all, not
everyone is as smart as Queen Bee Ekta Kapoor.
http://www.indya.com/news/newsDetails.aspx?xfile=2008/December/News_20081229_181