Actress quits ‘Maayka’; show’s future in doubt?

ZEE TV’s popular drama ‘Maayka’s’ future could be in doubt after its lead actress announced she is leaving the show when her current contract ends in June.

Shilpa Shinde who plays Soni in the drama spoke to Telly Chakkar about her reason behind the move. “My contract with Creative Eye, producers of Maayka will end in June and I am not keen on renewing it. I have already put in my papers. Besides, the show�۪s contract with the channel too, is nearing its end at the same time…I don’t want to become another Tulsi or Parvati by carrying on with the same show. I am eyeing new shows.”

Fans of the show in the UK are yet to witness scenes involving the sudden death of yet another character – Veer. An actor, on condition of anonymity, says, “The channel forced the production house to bring an end to Vineet�۪s character as they felt Veer�۪s death would serve as a shocker to the viewers and thereby attract viewer interest.”

After ‘Dulhann…Banoo Mein Teri’ and ‘Saat Phere’, ‘Maayka’ has consistently been performing superbly well for the channel.

Dheeraj Kumar, CMD of Creative Eye, which is producing the show was reticent when asked about the show�۪s fate. Says Kumar, “Every project has a contract for a specific number of episodes. Every show is initially given a contract to run for one year, after which it is renewed on the basis of the TRPs it garners. Maayka and Betiyaan are two strong pillars of Zee contributing the highest GRPs for the channel and maintaining its position among the top four serials. We wish to run Maayka and Betiyaan for next four to five years.”

A ZEE TV India spokesman denied the show was being taken off the air.