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Ektaa Kapoor is at it again. The dreams of another aspiring star of tellywood will come true on February 19, when Balaji’s first show for 2007, Kayamath, goes on air launching Jay Bhanushali.

With commercials like Lays (with Saif Ali Khan) and Motorola to his credit, Bhanushali is an acting greenhorn. “I was called for an audition from Balaji and was soon confirmed. I’m thankful to Ektaa for trusting me with the lead role,” he says.

Kayamath is the love story of Neev (Jay) and Praachi (played by MTV find Panchi Bora). Talking about his character, Jay says, “Neev Shergill is a flirt and a fun-loving guy.

But both the protagonists are in quest of true love.” How’s the experience been? “The last three weeks have been very hectic. The work scenario’s different compared to what it is in the ad world.

“There, you’re pampered and your needs are taken care of, while in the TV industry, it’s a daily grind,” he says.

Kayamath  also features veterans like Neena Kulkarni, Mohnish Behl, Prachi Shah and Shabbir Ahluwalia.

“Learning from Mohnish (who plays Panchi’s father) is an experience in itself.” We hope Bhanushali too receives the adulation that came the way of Rajeev Khandelwal, who debuted with Kahiin to Hoga, the show that Kayamath is replacing.

Panchi Bora, who first hit prime time television with Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi, is back after a yearlong hiatus. Ektaa Kapoor, who had earlier cast her in Kitni…, which was her first youth soap for MTV, has picked her this time as the female lead in Kayamath.

Born in Assam, Panchi also calls Pune her home because she studies at Fergusson College. Did she take a break to finish her studies?

She says, “Yes, my parents want me to finish my graduation. I am still in my second year but the project sounded interesting. Besides, the fact that it will be on Star Plus is another reason I said yes.” And she didn’t exactly twid dle her thumbs during her break. She did several commercial ads and was also the face of a hypermarket chain.

Speaking about her character of a Gujarati girl in Kayamath, she says, “I belong to a business family. In the story, I share a close friendship with Neev (Jay Bhanushali), though we’re both opposites. We both feel deeply for each other but we never seem to realise it’s love.” So what’s the conflict then? “I’m not telling you. There are plenty of twists and turns, as there are in a typical Balaji serial,” she says.

Has she got used to the daily soap grind? Not fainted on the sets yet? She laughs, “No, not yet. My mother ensures I eat on time, there is constantly someone on the sets to look after me.”