Smriti Z Irani “quits” STAR Plus’ ‘Kyunki Saans…’

If today�۪s reports are to be believed, STAR Plus’ flagship drama ‘Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ is set for a radical change in the coming months.

According to Mid-Day magazine, the protagonist of the show Tulsi Virani will have an accident, leaving her face badly mangled thus requiring plastic surgery. This will result in the exit of Smriti Z Irani from the show. Smriti has been playing the role of Tulsi since the very start of the soap in the late 90s.

A new actress will take over the role of Tulsi after the accident in the soap. Reports suggest Gautami Kapoor has landed the role to play the new look of Tulsi Virani on the show.

Although no one from Balaji will admit to this shocking change on record, Mid-Day claims it has the information from a very reliable source that Gautami, who has been on a sabbatical from acting for two years, will step into Smriti�۪s shoes soon.

In a chat with Mid-Day, Gautami was hesitant to comment on the developments, “I still don�۪t believe that Smriti Irani is quitting, but yes, I have been in talks with Ekta Kapoor. Ekta sent me a message saying she has a very good role for me and we decided to meet…I don�۪t think there will be any bad blood between us if I play Tulsi. I am not taking away anybody�۪s role.”

As reported previously, Smriti Z Irani and Ekta Kapoor have been at loggerheads over the actress’ desire to produce shows for other channels, namely ‘Viruddh’ on Sony Entertainment Television Asia.

There was also press speculation about Ekta Kapoor walking out of STAR Plus’ Smriti Z Irani’s co-produced show ‘Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman’.

With STAR Plus facing some serious competition from number two rival ZEE TV, could this really be the right time for such a drastic change in ‘Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’? We’ll keep you posted.