Too big for Balaji?

They cut their acting teeth in the hallowed precincts of Balaji House, touched pinnacles of small screen glory and adulation otherwise reserved only for Bollywood stars. And then, they decided to strike out on their own. The list is long, and growing. Amar Upadhyay, Nausheen, Mauli Ganguly, Akashdeep Sehgal and now Rajeev Khandelwal (though, of course, Star power could still pull him back to the fold). History shows that most of the rebels have had a bumpy run after that. But that doesn't seem to deter the noveau successful from thinking that their success is all their own. Kingmaker Ekta Kapoor meanwhile, sanguinely and successfully replaces the tele-superstars, maintaining that the character is greater than the actor. A look at those who left the nest to test their wings- Amar Upadhyay (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi): His death as Mihir in the series provoked grandmas and nubile girls alike into staging morchas pressing for his return. His website, launched at the height of the frenzy, www.mihiramarhai.com' said it all. Amar thought he would grow beyond Mihir and struck for Bollywood. Needless to say, his feature film debut didn't even create a ripple. Today, he is yearning to get back to the nest. Shweta Kawaatra (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii): The lady thought that she had exhibited too much of negativity as the vicious Pallavi. Maybe her impending marriage to Manav Gohil had something to do with her desire to portray positive roles. Nothing much has happened for her thereafter, although her talent and looks should help. A return to the nest is unlikely, though. Nausheen Ali Sardar (Kkusum): The slightly overweight kudi felt she was too young to play mom to someone as old as herself. Buzz is, the Star deal for Kaalchakra had been finalised before she quit Sony's Kkusum. With a prize triple role under her belt, the nest no longer beckons her. As of now. Mauli Ganguly (Kaahin Kissi Roz): The Bengali beauty claims she had stopped enjoying playing Shaina in the once hugely popular Kaahin Kissi Roz. The show was dragging alright, but didn't she regret doing Cinevistaas' Saaksshi which she took up instead? So what if she doesn't say so in no uncertain terms? Read between the line which she tells us 'I am missing Balaji'. Does this herald the return of the prodigal daughter? Rajeev Khandelwal (Kahiin To Hoga): After a week long debate of 'will he - won't he', the matter is still in limbo. The actor has still to take a call. He says he's going to the Maldives for a week and will decide only after coming back. The buzz is he is terribly peeved about the way his character is shaping and also the the future track. This one's ready to fly out of the nest. The eternal loyalists: Fame beckoned, but these few have chosen to stay within the fold, secure despite some disgruntled mutterings. Smriti Z Iraani: She may have done a chat show for Sab TV, but has still not signed for anything outside Balaji. There is no doubt that she must be having several offers. We have heard, she is contemplating signing Smita Thackeray's show which will also star Sai Deodhar. Will she? Won't she? So far, she hasn't developed a strong desire to get out of Tulsi's shadow. Urvashi Dholakia: The same can be said for this girl. No desire to emerge out of Komolika's shadow. She may be playing Archie in Kahiin To Hoga but people identify her with Kasautii Zindagi Kay only. Buzz is, she is on a salary basis at Balaji House. Sakshi Tanwar: She could drop Devi but certainly not Kahaani..., despite the fact that there were certain differences between Ekta and her when the track had shifted to Australia. On date, she is doing just this one Balaji serial. No insecurity. Atta girl! Kiran Karmarkar: A true Balaji loyalist, perhaps the biggest one. He did another show Kkehna Hai Kuch Mujhko for Balaji. Unfortunately, it didn't click. He is back to where he belonged. Surprisingly, he does not flinch if you ask him why he's working for Balaji only. Seems, Balaji is his second home. Sudha Chandran: Kaahin Kissii Roz is over, but Ekta apparently likes her a lot. She cast her in Karma, now Chandran is all set to make an entry in K.Street, Pali Hill. Apparently, she understands that she owes her success to the character of Ramola Sikand which was Ekta's brainchild. 'You don't make new relations to break the old ones', seems to be Chandran's motto.