Rajeev Mehra's next on Star Plus!

Rajeev Mehra, who produces Shanno ki Shaadi currently for Star Plus, will launch his next venture, Naa Jaane Kyon, on the same channel in June this year. The show, earlier tentatively titled Kasme Vaade, is scheduled to be a daily family drama. The star cast includes big names including Neena Gupta, Smita Jaykar, Vikas Bhalla, Mukul Dev, Rajender Gupta and introduces Ashima Bhalla as the lead. The cast has already shot 48 episodes. "Yes, I am doing the show. It will be aired in June on Star Plus. It stars Neena Gupta, Mukul Dev, Smita Jaykar, Ashima Bhalla and others. We haven't decided on the final title yet," acknowledges Mehra. The punch of this serial is Smita Jaykar, earlier seen in motherly roles on TV and the big screen, will play an out and out negative character. "I had never thought of doing such a character ever in my life, it's extremely different and exciting too. I hail from a poor family and catch hold of a rich guy whom I marry. He dies out of frustration, and I become this woman who aquires everything in life!" laughs Smita. The story revolves around a rich family, in which Mukul Dev plays the elder brother and Vikas, who's a lawyer, plays the younger son. Mukul says, "My character has shades of black, but I am the responsible son. The story shapes into a love triangle between Vikas, Ashima and me." The actor is full of praise for his newcomer co-star. "Ashima is a very sweet girl, who is always smiling. And she is obedient too," says Mukul. Vikas Bhalla sounds excited about doing another show with the Mehras (he's seen in Shanno....too). "My character in this show is very different, Ashima is paired opposite me. But later it turns out to be a love triangle." He adds, "It's very different from the other soaps, as it moves at a fast pace and also has more close-up shots," Ashima Bhalla however, refused to say anything about the show, when contacted. She has done bit roles in films like, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum opposite Saif Ali Khan, Great Daddy and an item number in Hatyar. But the Mehra production will be her first appearance on TV. Neena Gupta, (who plays Ashima's mother) is in Delhi, hence unavailable for comment.