Smita and Hiten leap into Kasauti…

After a five year leap Kasauti Zindagi Kay is all set to rope in Hiten Paintal and Smita Bansal to play Anupam (earlier played by Manish Goel and Nivedita played by Poonam Narula). The characters make a comeback after a span of two years and they will be shown as a foreign returned couple. Hiten has hit a jackpot this time around by signing his first show with Balaji after a string of cameos on television and a host of forgettable films. While for Smita post Twinkle Beauty Parlour the actor has gotten back to quality work after a long holiday in Goa and Jaipur. "I play Cezanne's brother- in- law and Smita's husband in the show. We are shown as a foreign returned couple and the character I play is someone who lives off his wife's money," says Hiten who got a call from Balaji and within one hour of signing the role he starts shooting for it. "I play Anurag's sister and my character is that of a very upfront woman who doesn't approve of Prerna and is not very happy with the way things are moving in the family. It's lovely to work with Balaji, also it's fun to work with Hiten. The senior actors in the show have been very co-operative and I got no time for homework so my co stars are helping me out," says Smita who signed the show two days back and is excited about her role in Kasauti. The actor started her career with Balaji's Itihaas and her last show with Balaji was Koi Apna Sa (three years back). We ask Manish Goel about how he feels about not playing Anupam in the show yet again. ""Hiten is a friend and all the best to him and I am sure he has his reasons for taking up the role. Honestly, I didn't find anything great in the role after having given my best to Anupam. I told Balaji I am game for a cameo in the show for the love of Kasauti and Balaji but neither the cameo nor Anupam's character seemed appealing or challenging enough to me so I decided to decline it. I am looking for better opportunities with Balaji. Kasauti is special to me as this show was my claim to fame and this is where I'd met Poonam. I can't sleep through my work and this role needed no homework whatsoever besides the show is ruled by Mr Bajaj only," sighs Manish Goel who was offered to play Anupam a second time about two weeks back. Smita and Hiten started shooting for the show from 1 August and will be seen on air from 5 August.