Smriti Irani is the current talk of the town. After creating news with her return to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi as Tulsi, she is once again in the news. This time it is 9X that puts the actress in the spot. The current news doing the rounds is that 9X is at crossroads with the actress cum politician, Smriti Irani. As Smriti’s show Mere Apne as well as Yeh Hai Jalwa (as host) is on 9X currently it is alleged that the channel is playing the aggrieved party as Smriti appears to have shifted loyalties to a rival channel, Star Plus. “9X is not very happy with the fact that Smriti has returned to Kyunki. The channel feels that she has forsaken them and now they have to take some strong steps,” says a source. Does that mean Smriti will soon be phased out on 9X? “Well I really can’t say anything about that but yes I have heard that the channel is planning to minimise her role in Mere Apne,” answers the source. We called up Smriti to know her current equation with 9X. “It’s ridiculous, I don’t know from where you have got this news. 9X and I share a good rapport but I’m glad that together we keep making news,” she informs. An insider and a person very close to Smriti informs, “Star Plus offers more visibility to Smriti than 9X so she is cashing in on that.” It is also reported that her show Mere Apne which is not doing much by way of TRPs has been asked by the channel to get its act together or face the music. Indrani Mukerjea of 9X remained unavailable for comments. Poor Smriti, she has just about buried the hatchet with Star Plus and now she has a new headache. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And Smriti sure is one tough lady.