Ekta sets her eyes on reality TV, plans second show

Mumbai, May 19 (IANS) Even as Ekta Kapoor enters the cluttered realm of reality shows with "Kissko Milega Ticket To Bollywood" on the fledgling channel 9X, she's already working on her second reality show, this one for Sony.

According to a source, the television czarina is working on a reality show called "Gharwali Baharwali".

"It'll feature TV stars dancing with their reel and real partners. For example Ronit Roy will be seen waltzing with his wife Neelam and with his screen wife Tulsi (Smriti Irani) from 'Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. The idea is to bring the lives of stars to the audience in a way that takes them away and brings them closer to the soaps that they are famous for," said the source.

Meanwhile, preparations for "Kissko Milega Ticket To Bollywood" are on full swing.

It's finally been decided that the two wannabe superstars selected from this reality show will work in Balajee's Rs.700 million project to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia.

Says Ekta, "The film will be called 'Generation Next'. And it will feature the two talents from our show 'Kissko Milega...' who we feel are going to be the superstars of tomorrow. Obviously we've to have top-of-the-line talent emerging from the show; otherwise we wouldn't feature them in a film budgeted at Rs.700 million."

The line-up of mentors on "Kissko Milega Bollywood Ka Ticket" is yet to be decided. But the buzz is that Ekta has roped in old friends Shabana Azmi and Shatrughan Sinha along with Jackie Shroff, Kirron Kher and Mahesh Manjrekar.

"Stepping into reality TV is one of the many new things Balajee is doing this year," she added.

• Television