After playing Nivedita in <em> Kumkum</em> for almost six months now, looks like Shweta Kawatra has decided to call it quits from the afternoon raker.The sultry vamp, better known as Pallavi from <em> Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii,</em> finds it extremely difficult to cope up with the long and gruesome working hours of daily soaps.

Kiran Karmarkar, who became a household name as Om of <em> Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii</em> took a break from the show to join Smriti Irani's <em> Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman</em>. But now, after almost two years, the versatile actor is all set to return to the show. "It's too early to spin the beans as yesterday was the first day of my shoot. All I can say is that I'll pose a different and fresh look in the show. Ekta wanted my character back with a bang. I'm looking forward to being a part of the show," says a thrilled Kiran.

It's now time to announce the results of the recently concluded tellychakkar.com poll -`Which of the long running soaps should call it curtains'. The four shows were:<em> Kumkum, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay.</em>

Achint Kaur, one of the most high profile vamps on the small screen took a break from <em> Kyunki</em> and <em>Kahaani</em>to join Smriti Irani's<em>Virrudh</em>. But now, after almost a year, the enigmatic actress is coming back as Pallavi in <em> Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii</em>. "I can't talk much about it. All I can say is that I'll pose a different and a fresh look in the show. Ekta wanted my character back with a bang. I'm looking forward to being a part of the show," says a thrilled Achint.

Ali Hassan maybe playing the evil guy on<em> Akela </em>and has also been roped in Aroona Irani's<em> Babul</em> but in real life the actor is truly, deeply and madly in love with Saba, a denim designer by profession. Saba belongs to the same community and is a family friend of the Hassan household as well. So, for Ali, it will be love cum arranged marriage with his sweetheart, by end of 2007. We quizzed the actor on what is it that made him fall for his lady love?

His villainous acts have received accolades in the past and yet again he's all set to do what he plays best. Ali Hasssan whose claim to fame has been as Aryan in <em>Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii </em>is all set to play a villain in Sony's Akela.

Sameer Sharma has his hands full with<em> Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii </em>(as Krishna) and<em> Left Right Left </em>(as Navin Singh Ahluwalia) but this doesn't stop the actor from working for the welfare of the actor community. The actor along with his other friends in the industry are all gearing up to open a forum for actors, writers and directors, who can attend workshops and training sessions during their leisure hours.

Sachin Sharma last seen in <em>Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii</em> as Krishna and as Vedant in <em>Tumhari Disha</em> has been roped in by Aroona Irani to play the lead opposite Pallavi Kulkarni for her new show tentatively titled <em>Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai</em> for Sony.

Ali Asgar has bought another house for himself, this time at Yari Road, in Andheri in suburban Mumbai. An excited Ali says his new house is a two bedroom kitchen pad. Currently, he stays in an apartment in Palm Court at Malad, an one bedroom hall kitchen flat. "My new house is a sea-facing flat. It's truly mind-blowing and I should be shifting in by the end of March. The interiors are being done by one of my friends who has helped me out previously too," says Ali.

Ali Asgar, better known these days as the lovable devar Kamal in <em>Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii</em> is all gung ho about his new film with David Dhawan film called Partner in which he plays an advertising professional. And that's not all that the versatile actor is doing these days. He's also starring in a Bhojpuri film titled <em>Main Bal Brahmacharya Tu Kanya Kuwari</em>, directed by Mahesh Pandey, a co-production with his alma mater, Balaji Telefilms.