by Subhash K Jha

Both Ekta Kapoor and Sony's top brass Tarun Katyal deny a fall-out between the channel and the soap czarina.

But the fact is, Ekta's USP on Sony Kkusum is going off air from the third week of November, to be replaced by Indian Idol 2 and Sony's prized new game show Deal Ya No Deal.

Says Tarun, "I think this is the right time to stop Kkusum. It has had its run," admits Tarun Katyal.

"Five years is a long time for a soap. No point in letting it drag on. We're putting Indian Idol twice a week on Monday and Tuesday from 21 November and Deal Ya No Deal thrice a week from 23 November in place of Kkusum."

So is that the end of Sony's long honeymoon with Ekta Kapoor's Balajee Telefilms?

"Ha, not quite. Ekta and I have been laughing about our so-called fall-out. In fact Balajee Telefilms is producing another show for Sony which will go on air at the end of the year."

The new Ekta extravaganza for Sony will be a first for both the parties. "It isn't a soap but a magazine on TV on gossip and behind-the-scenes happenings of the television industry, called Kandy Floss," divulges Tarun.

"See, there are so many film- magazine shows telling us about Bollywood and who's doing what to whom. But nothing on the tv industry. The home medium and its products are no longer a poor cousin of the movies. People genuinely want to know what Iqbal Khan or Jassi is doing when not shooting."

While Kandy Floss will be on at the end of 2005 Sony gears up for its Big 2 this month. "In Deal Ya No Deal the stakes are really high. No other game show has taken the player right from 25 paise to 1 crore rupees. We want to take the game show in the country to new heights," says Tarun Katyal.

The show's anchor Madhavan is currently busy rehearsing. "I feel like I did at the beginning of my career. I am shitting bricks, man!' says Maddy.

About Indian Idol 2, Tarun is even more gung -ho. "This time we're taking Idol to India's heartland. The singers will come from every nook and corner. The response at the rehearsals has been overwhelming."