The soap operas of Ekta Kapoor and Ravi Chopra are likely to be axed to make way for Kaun Banega Crorepati-III because Star Plus intends to reserve the one-hour primetime slot for the show that will be anchored by Shahrukh Khan.
KBC-III is slated to go on air in January 2007, sounding the death knell for Karam Apna Apna and Virasaat.
Industry sources said these soaps were being taken off air to accommodate KBC-III because the sequel was expected to rake in more advertising revenue and viewership for the channel than the serials.
The one-hour primetime from 9 pm to 10 pm from Monday to Friday is the most sought-after slot on Indian television and has been reserved for "kitchen stories".
Virasaat is being aired from 9:00 pm to 9.30 pm while Karam Apna Apna, a Balaji Telefilms production, is being aired from 9.30 pm to 10 pm.
When contacted, Star India's senior creative director Shailja Kejriwal confirmed the development and said: "Virasaat will be taken off air for some time and we are trying to work out a time slot for Karam Apna Apna. Virasaat will make a comeback after a seasonal break."
"We have received an official intimation from the channel on the possibility of Virasaat being taken off air or shifted to another slot. However, nothing has been finalised yet," said Ravi Chopra, Virasaat's producer.
