/> Ekta Kapoor's newly-renewed friendship with Sudha Chandran is paying them both rich dividends.

Affter getting Sudha to be part of now-delayed Star daily Kuch Is Tara, Ekta has just invited Sudha to be a pivotal part of three more of her soaps.

Says Ekta, "Sudha will be part of my new shows on Sab TV and Sony. She also joins my cast of Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi."

Sudha plays a cop in Kyunkii.

"She's tremendously talented and irreplaceable in a certain kind of roles," exults Ekta. "I was heartbroken when Sudha was eliminated from Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. And now even my other favourite Prachi is out of the show. It's really sad."

In the last week Ekta has been busy trying to extricate her two new daily soaps Kuch Iss Tara and Kya Dil Mein Hai on Sony and 9X from its current inbroglio vis-à-vis Star which won't allow any of Ekta's shows to be put on any other channel at primetime.

According to Balajee sources, Ekta was aware of the pre-condition regarding the airplay of her serials at primetime on other channels. But when her primetime shows were dropped and Kaun Banega Crorepati came on Star on for four months she presumed the rule had become inapplicable.

Says a Balajee source, "Ekta certainly won't allow this incident to sour her long-standing relations with Star. A solution is being worked out. The two shows on the rival channels will now be aired in an earlier slot, probably 8 or 8.30 pm."

Adds Ekta, "The last week my parents and I have been running around trying to get the matter sorted out. That's why I haven't been able to see Saawariya. My parents just dropped in at the premiere to wish Mr Bhansali and had to leave."