Reacting to television producer Shashi Ranjan’s allegations that she did not allow her actors to participate in his Indian Television Awards (ITA), Ekta Kapoor says she is too dignified to stoop to such levels.

“I had made it clear that since my flagship show “Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” wasn’t nominated, I never wanted to go for the awards or make the effort to write the script for my soap in a way that would free my actors to attend the awards. They had to shoot and naturally that was top priority for us,” Ekta told IANS.

“Someone from the awards committee called and requested us to adjust our schedules so the actors could attend. I told them I’d try. Not once did I ask for the winners’ list, as alleged by them, nor did I mention the absolute blacking-out of ‘Kyunkii…’ from their nominations.

“I was told by a Zee authority that my serial ‘Kkasam Se’ and its leading man Ram Kapoor would win.”

She can’t get over the way her most popular serials were ignored.

“Since STAR Plus didn’t sponsor the Indian Television Awards, they didn’t want to give ‘Kyunkii…’ any nominations. In fact, the only STAR serial nominated in the popular categories is off air now!”

Ekta pauses for breath and declares, “That’s when we decided that we at Balaji Telefilms wanted to be no part of this blatant charade. Two days before the awards, I told Ram Kapoor on the sets in front of everyone that he’d win. He graciously replied he’d rather complete the episode than attend the awards. The whole unit of ‘Kkasam Se’ heard what Ram said.”

As for asking for the winners’ list, Ekta smirks, “I knew the winners from before; I didn’t need a list. When they got to know I was upset, they offered to ‘adjust’ whatever show I wanted. I refused to accept this candy offering.

“Still, I sent the actors for the awards. But I repeat I never asked for a winners’ list, and never mentioned any such thing to Shashi Ranjan or his wife Anu. God is my witness.”

Ekta gets emotional.

“It’s not in my breeding to play such dirty games. I’m too dignified to stoop to such levels. And yes, just to let the actors of ‘Kkasam Se’ attend the Indian Television Awards I reluctantly altered my script. The Ranjans are lying if they say I asked for a list of winners.”