The entertainment industry rides on superstitions. Ekta Kapoor wears her superstitions on her sleeve. And now we have Pankaj Saraswat the director of the comedy show <em> ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge</em>’ following suit.

Ekta Kapoor is in no mood to look outside her courtyard for actors to play different roles in her <em> Mahabharat</em> . The show so far seems to be filled with the who’s who of the Balaji bandwagon and the latest development is about the contemplation on the names to play the role of Arjun. A source from Balaji informs, “The production house is contemplating on either Shabbir Ahluwalia or Karan Patel to play the heroic role of Arjun in <em> Mahabharat</em>.” When contacted Karan said, “Nothing is finalised as yet as talks with Balaji are still on.”

After much speculation Ekta Kapoor’s magnum opus, <em>Mahabharat</em> is all set to go on air from August 22. K-queen’s version of the epic will have Balaji’s loyalists like Ronit Roy, Kiran Karmarkar, Makrand Deshpande, Sakshi Tanwar, Chetan Hansraj and Hiten Tejwani. It is also reported that Balaji’s new entrant Harshad Chopra who plays the lead in <em> Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil</em> is also part of the epic.

After a bad bull run of soaps, Sony will now offer two Balaji soaps to viewers. Ekta is all set to produce two new shows for the channel, namely <em> Krazy Kiya Re </em>and <em> Kambakht Ishq.</em> Both the channel and the production house are banking on these upcoming soaps to lift their fortunes. Though Sanjay Upadhyay, Creative Head Fictions Sony, remained tightlipped about the shows but said, “Balaji is making a show for us to fill in our prime-time slot, but it will be too early to divulge any details as everything is in the initial stages.”

Prachi of <em> Kayamath</em> aka Panchi Bora is dealing with tough times these days. She is giving her mid term exams and at the same time shooting for her show.She has to jump from one place to another as her college is in Pune. "Currently, my exams are going on and will get over on Monday. Though I have managed to get three days off, I still have to 'up-down' for the shoot if urgently required. It's hectic but I can't leave both as they are equally important to me," says Panchi.

Priya Wal, who has been keeping herself busy with cameos off late, will soon be entering the Balaji camp. She has been roped in for Ekta's thriller venture <em> Jane Kya Hoga</em> on Sony. Priya who hasn't landed a good role after Remix is now on cloud nine. "I'm playing a small role in Ekta's show for Sony. It's an episodic and I can't reveal much as I don't know when it will go on air. My episode is delayed due to unavailability of a few actors. I'll start shooting in December," says Priya.

Some feel that the Balaji K serials are regressive. Their women strut around like Christmas trees, fully dressed and made up in the middle of the night. The values these teleserials project are termed old fashioned and blight on the face of modern womanhood. But it looks like this is no longer the case. Ekta's <em> Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki</em> has dared to discuss a topic no serial has done before- Marital Rape. Here is a brief recap of the last two episodes.

A fter creating waves in Balaji's <em> Kayamath</em>, wonder what the saucy and dapper Eijaz Khan is up to these days? Last heard he had turned down Ekta's Dubai-based show, <em> Khwaish</em>. So we confront the actor and query him what kept him busy all this while and also figure out his career developments. "Yes, Ekta did approach me, but at that time I was busy with my sister's wedding. I explained to her my schedule and she was ok with it. I have no problem with Ekta at all," is all his says.

Actor Rajev Paul, who was last seen in Star Plus' <em> Karam Apnaa Apnaa and also as a segment anchor in <em> Nach Baliye 2</em> is, these days lying low on the work front. So how does he make the best use of the free time on hand? By working on his physique! Well, it seems Delnaaz-pati Rajev regularly sweats it out at the Goreagaon Sports Club by indulging in squash. "I am a fitness freak and I have enrolled with V3 gym."

Star's TRP raker<em> Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi</em> is in for some major drama. After reigning supreme for over seven years and becoming a household name, Tulsi Virani, the iconic character will die in tomorrow's episode.