Actress Genelia D'Souza says she has become more aware of the extent of poverty in India after hosting reality TV show Big Switch, which featured 10 rich children who gave up their comfortable lifestyles to fulfil the dreams of slum children.

"Big Switch was about a rich dreamer giving up his dreams to make another dreamer's wish come true - helping someone who couldn't afford to realise his or her dream. I have seen some of the most emotional moments between the rich and poor kids, which has given me a serious reality check in life," Genelia said.

"There's so much poverty in India, yet the people in slums have the courage to dream. I took up Big Switch simply because it was a reality show in good light. The concept exuded positivity, and the soul of the show was very clean," she added.

The show, which aired on UTV Bindass, had its finale Saturday. Genelia played a host, a friend and an advisor to all the children throughout the show. She says she was extremely touched during one episode.

"I have seen the rich kids do some of the sweetest things for their slum friends. I have seen them going to the extent of collecting cow dung with their bare hands - and all this for someone they have no relation with. I had tears in my eyes that day and it really gave me a reality check," the 22-year-old said.

Though Genelia is happy with the way her small screen debut turned out, she isn't too sure if she will be seen on television shows again soon.

"I haven't really thought about doing any other shows on TV. Films are my main focus at the moment. I have been working very hard for them," she said.

Genelia has been juggling between the southern film industry and Bollywood for the past five years but it was Imran Khan-starrer Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na that brought her to the forefront of Hindi movies.

Her latest movie Chance Pe Dance, which paired her with Shahid Kapoor, released to average reviews Friday. Genelia is now working with the likes of Anees Bazmee in It's My Life and David Dhawan-John Abraham in Hook Ya Crook.

Asked if there were any specific roles she wanted to do, Genelia said, "I have never planned my career. Whatever comes my way, I try and make the best of it."

Popular television actor Ram Kapoor, who is sporting a new fit look after losing 11 kg, says he plays a mean and hateful person in his first mainstream Bollywood film Karthik Calling Karthik which also stars Farhan Akhtar.

"In Karthik Calling Karthik I play the biggest problem in Farhan's life. I play a bastard in the film - a mean, obnoxious, hateful person...I can't disclose anything beyond this," Kapoor told IANS. Karthik Calling Karthik also features Deepika Padukone and Shefali Shah. It has been produced by Farhan and Ritesh Sidhwani.

Kapoor, who was in this lake city for the launch of NDTV Imagine's show "Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega" that he will be hosting, says both his films -- Karthik Calling Karthik and Anurag Kashyap's Udaan -- are ready for release.

"These are two very interesting releases. Both the films are very good -- just like I wanted to do -- very metro films. It's the kind of cinema that always interests me and the kind of cinema that I like to go and watch. I have given myself completely to these films and everybody is talking well about them so far," Ram said.

The 36-year-old, who did a cameo in Mira Nair's crossover film Monsoon Wedding in 2001, says he is not taking on any major TV projects at the moment as he wants to see the fate of his movies first.

"At this point, it's wise for me to wait for the releases to happen and then see if I get more cinema work like that. Then I'll take it on. But if I get the kind of cinema I have always happily refused, I will take on television again. I love doing TV and I am lucky that I have reached a level where I get the best of roles," he said.

The actor, popular for shows like Ghar Ek Mandir and Kasamh Se, also says that TV means more business for him than being in cinema.

"At my level, the money is fantastic in TV. In cinema, I'm doing very good work with very good people, but the money that I make in cinema is not even one-tenth of what I make from TV.

"However, cinema is a choice I am gladly making because I consider it as a stepping stone. If I get the kind of work that I want, you will see me more in cinema; if not, then I'll be back to television," he added.

Asked about his noticeable weight loss, Kapoor flashed a big smile and said: "I have lost 11 kilos. I just became serious about it. For the last three months, my eating is controlled, my drinking is controlled -- there's no special formula or secret (to it). I do the treadmill at home sometimes.

"This is something that I wanted to do for myself, my children, because it's good to be healthy and it's good even for my career."

Kapoor is currently gearing up for the second season of NDTV Imagine's Swayamvar. This time, Rahul Mahajan, son of slain Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, has set out to search for a suitable life partner amongst 15 shortlisted women. The show will begin Feb 1.

Star One's Miley Jab Hum Tum has been the number one TRP grosser for Star One for quite some time now. But the recent gripping court case in Cinevistaa's Jaane Pehchane Se Yeh Ajnabbi which was the deciding factor for Nihal's custody seems to have gone well with the audience. And the show has seen a rise in TRPs.

According to last week's ratings, Jaane Pehchane Se Yeh Ajnabbi has broken the 0.6 rating of Miley Jab Hum Tum with a TRP of 0.7.

We tried calling Amita Devadiga, Creative Head, Cinevistas, but she remained unavailable for comments.

As per our source, "The show will enter a very interesting phase in the coming episodes which will probably establish its position firmly in the channel's prime spot. As for now Nihal's (Rahul Pendkalkar) custody has been given to Veer (Siddharth Shukla) and his mother Kamini (Varsha Usgaonkar). However, Nihal will long to see his maasi Ayesha (Aditi Tailang) and will eventually fall sick pining for her. Veer decides to bring Ayesha home so she can help in Nihal's recovery. Veer takes this decision in the absence of Kamini as she is out of town. However, this decision leaves Veer in a very dangerous spot, as Kamini has a strong dislike towards Ayesha."

With this, another highpoint is expected as the audience will be eager to see Kamini's reaction over Ayesha and Veer sharing the same living space.

it's amazing how life works! Hritu Dhudani had essayed the role of Bandini in Star Plus' Chehra which launched in April, 2009. Now she has bagged a role in show titled Bandini!

Tellybuzz broke the news that Santo (Aasiya Kazi) will be thrown in jail for the murder of Arjan (Kunal Thakkur) after which the story- track will take a leap.

Now we give you the news that Birva Mahiyavanshi, the daughter of Dharmaraj Mahiyavanshi (Ronit Roy), the character of which was essayed by Kimberly Jain, will now be played by Hritu Dhudani.

According to our source, "Bandini will take a leap of ten years and the first episode post leap will be aired on Wednesday, 20th January. Last year, on 19th January, Bandini was launched. And this year right after the celebration of its one year anniversary, it's taking a huge leap."

Adds the source, "In addition to Birva's growing up, the elder versions of Monghi (Santo's kid sister played by Akshata Rajput) and Sooraj (DM's youngest son) will also be a part of the show's new youth brigade. Apart from this, a new character by name Bansuri will also be introduced. However, the actors to portray grown-up versions of Monghi, Sooraj and Bansuri haven't been finalized yet."

When contacted Hritu Dhudani said, "Yeah, I think I'm entering Bandini. But things will get clear by tomorrow.

Looking forward to this new chapter in Bandini…