Ekta Kapoor's feud with Smriti Irani has apparently gained momentum. The latest buzz is that Smriti left Balaji Telefilms because she wanted a hike in her salary.
A Mumbai tabloid reported that Smriti demanded Rs 300,000 per day, three times the amount she reportedly gets.
We decided to take a look at the highest-paid television actors today, and Smriti -- even with her present pay -- topped the list.
Here are the top five earners:
Name: Smriti Irani
Claim to Fame: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
Character: Tulsi Virani
Her fee, industry talk has it, is Rs 100,000 per day
'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' It's this adage that Smriti Zubin Irani, also known as Tulsi Mihir Virani, has lived her life by.
Actress, producer and politician, this former Miss India contestant has come a long way.
During her struggling years, Smriti worked at McDonalds, served burgers, appeared for countless auditions and even cleaned floors.
That's what you call a rags to riches story.
Name: Saakshi Tanwar
Claim to Fame: Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii
Character: Parvati Agarwal
Her fee, industry talk has it, is Rs 45,000 per day
The demure Parvati Agarwal is perhaps the soul of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. She is the daughter-in-law who sets the bar for every bahu in India. Even today, when the show has taken another 18-year leap, it is Saakshi's portrayal of Janki Devi that glues viewers to the screens.
Like her contemporaries, Saakshi also made it big in the city of dreams after starting life in Alwar in Rajasthan. A former computer software consultant, she resides in the hearts of millions thanks to a role she had almost refused. But, like they say, some things are just meant to be.
Name: Shweta Tiwari
Claim to Fame: Kasautii Zindagi Kay
Character: Prerna
Her fee, industry talk has it, is Rs 35,000 per day
This pretty commerce graduate from Mumbai's Burhani's College has won the adoration and applause of critics and fans alike as Prerna in Kasautii Zindagi Kay.
She has always believed in herself and been very vocal. Today, she finds it strange that most people know her more by her screen name than her real name. But after six years of screen time, we are not surprised.
Name: Ronit Roy
Claim To Fame: Kasautii Zindagi Kay/Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
Characters: Rishab Bajaj/Mihir Virani
His fee, industry talk has it, is Rs 1 million a month
After Ronit's first Hindi film Jaan Tere Naam did well, he was sure life would be one big party. Sadly, fate had other plans and all his other films bombed.
A few years later, there came an offer for an eight-week cameo in an upcoming show, Kasautii Zindagi Kay. But even Ronit would have laughed if you told him that his cameo as Rishab Bajaj would catapult him to superstardom and make him a household name.
Today, Ronit aka Rishabh Bajaj plays characters most actors can only dream of. Just when one thought it couldn't get any bigger or better, Ronit stepped into the shoes of Mihir Virani, a character who, in Ronit's own words, has raced ahead of his Kasautii character.
Today, Ronit runs a super-successful security company, is the highest-paid male television star and a permanent resident in the hearts of millions of people.
Name: Ram Kapoor
Claim To Fame: Kasamh Se
Character: Jai Walia
His fee, industry talk has it, is Rs 25,000 per day
It was a cold morning when the telephone first rang with a person sobbing hysterically on the other end. Thereafter, the phones have not stopped ringing and Balaji's inbox has been flooded with people demanding a reason for the sudden demise of Jai Walia.
Such is the popularity of the towering personality of Ram Kapoor, aka Jai Walia in the popular soap Kasamh Se.
With Ghar Ek Mandir and Dhadkan, audiences saw an authoritative entertainer emerge with his now trademark subtle yet powerful performances.
The actor, who began his career when director Sudhir Mishra cast him in Nyay, trained in Los Angeles and idolises Aamir Khan and Robert De Niro.