Telly Gupshup - Smriti mortified!

The quirky world of television is full of stars, starry mood swings, the rat race for the stellar roles and lots more... Smriti mortified! Did you know that just when the Indian Telly Awards were getting underway, rumours flew thick and fast in the city that Smriti Z Iraani (Tulsi of Kyunki...) had died in a road accident. We called to check and Smriti herself attended the call. "I am horrified to know this! Some journalists even called up my husband to offer condolences. Don't people have any anything else to do? she asked, obviously peeved. Though of course, when we suggested that it would have been better if someone had spread the rumour that she was pregnant with her third kid, it was her turn to laugh. Aasma's the limit! It couldn't have asked for a better promotional platform. Pop band Aasma that has been lying low after the initial Chandu ke Chacha starburst, has cut 11 tracks for Star One's new series, Remix. The Shrishti Behl created serial has music for a backbone, dwelling as it does on the pop band that a bunch of elite high school students put together. We also hear that Star may soon compile an album from the songs sung for the series. One can only hope that these aren't remixes, though! Preeti is Tony-Deeya favourite Preeti Dayal may be busy writing the slipping Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin -it's slid since some creative minds in charge of the show decided to deviate from the original Betty La Fea script - but the lady has something up her sleeve, apart from the film script she is penning. Latest, she is writing something for Deeya and Tony Singh again, and the show is slated for Sahara One. Is Sony listening? 'Saara Akaash' to run again? Miditech's Saara Akaash is likely to go off air in January 2005, but we hear the production house may close the serial with an open end, leaving behind a tantalising possibility to restart with the usual kahani mein twist. We also hear that the show may be re-run on Star One. Any takers? Ali in Balaji's next? Ekta Kapoor's penchant for giving work to her loyal coterie continues. The latest addition to this bandwagon is Ali Asgar. When contacted, all Asgar would say is, "It's a bit early to talk about it, but yes, I am working with Ekta again very soon." We are watching, Ali. Three's company Seems like there is a new circle of friends now. But this one is as quirky as it gets. Tarot card reader Sunita Menon is often seen hanging out with either soap queen Ekta's brother Tusshar Kapoor or Bollywood's fav fashion designer Manish Malhotra. Maybe it was the Zoom effect, but both Malhotra and Menon walked in for the Telly Awards 2004 function together and were seated together throughout the event. Ditto for the Bombay Times party where Menon and Kapoor were seen together... What's it, a cosmic connection??? Narayani's filmi affair Well, seems like the lady with an attitude, has found her match. Narayani Shastri of Piya Ka Ghar fame was recently been seen at the movie premiere with a fellow Zee artiste--- 'Lavanya's Gaurav Chopra. We haven't got a chance to grill either but we are quite sure that something is brewing. We saw them munching popcorn at a Hindi film premiere at Fame's In-orbit in Malad, a week later we saw them giggling over kiddie flick Shark Tale. Jassi mobbed Little did we realise the actual star prowess of Jassi, till we saw it with our own eyes at the telly awards. While hunks like Ronit Roy and Rajeev Khandelwal just had few fans mobbing them for autographs, there was serious frenzy when Jassi stepped out of the venue to go towards her car. In addition to her bodyguards, additional volunteers had to be called in to cordon off the area till she got into the car. The fans were chanting, "Jassi Jaissi sach mein koi nahi..."