Ekta- Smriti show goes on floor …

The much talked about marriage - between Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms and Smriti Z Iranii - conceived its first child on 8 July, a day after Kapoor's much happening party at Krishna in Mumbai. Their coproduction Thoda Sa Aasman, earlier titled as Garima has finally started filming and is scheduled to be on air from 12 August, on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30 pm. Smriti will essay the lead role of Uma TSA has the most unusual star cast ever. From long- forgotten actors to ones in the limelight, all will be seen in this serial. The story in simple terms is an 'aam ladki ki kahani' (doesn't that line bring back memories of Kkusum?) which was produced by Balaji itself. But where it differs is in that it focuses on the troubling aspects of the class system. Smriti will be seen playing the lead Uma who belongs to the lower class. Most remembered as KT of Zee TV's Hasratein, Harsh Chaya will portray a bigwig. This is not the first time that Harsh will be seen on a Balaji show. He had done a cameo in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii nearly a year ago. "Well, I haven't started shooting as yet, but of what I know my character is that of an elder brother who belongs to a builder family. He wants things done by hook or by crook," says the actor whose last lead role was in Zee TV's Astitva-Ek Prem Kahani. He continues, "My relationship will build with Smriti later in the story, when she gets married to one of my brothers." As of now it's only TSA that he is concentrating on and he is very excited about his latest film Corporate in which he has played a meaty role. "I am very excited!"-Pawan Shankar To everyone's surprise, Pawan Shankar will be a crucial part of the show. "I am very excited about entering the Balaji camp," says Pawan who plays the lead in Aisa Des Hain Mera on Sony. Shankar will be seen on TSA for only eight episodes. "Yes, the story in its initial stages revolves around me for eight episodes," says the actor. He will be playing Smriti's brother on the show. A source close to Balaji says, "Apart from these renowned actors we have managed to rope in veteran Marathi actress Usha Nadkarni and TV and film actor Achyut Poddar." On being asked how different this biweekly would be from Kkusum, he says, "This is more reality based as compared to the latter. The class system will set this show apart." Kapoor and Irani are however still hunting for the lead as they haven't zeroed down on who will be cast opposite Smriti. The source says, "Well they are searching for someone big from the industry!" That puts the arclights on mature actors such as Ronit Roy, Kiran Karmakar, Mukul Dev or will we see someone much younger like Cezanne Khan? Or will it be a newcomer. Watch this space for news!