MUMBAI: Friday the 13th. A lot riding on that date for Subrata Roy's Sahara TV because that is when the copywrite infringement case brought against its blockbuster soap Karishma - The Miracles of Destiny comes up for hearing.
 

The Kolkata High Court, which was to have heard the petition regarding Barbara Taylor Bradford's contention that Karishma is based on her novel A Woman of Substance yesterday, has postponed the hearing to 13 June, informed sources say.

After the first episode of the series aired on 12 May, Bradford moved the Supreme Court and stayed further telecast. Sahara got the case shifted to the Kolkata High Court, where the matter has been sub judice till date.

A massive promotional campaign that had been put into place for Karishma, comprising heavy outdoor presence, including painted local trains in Mumbai, is now languishing for want of a launch date for the 'biggest television series ever'. Sources close to the show say shooting has been put on hold for the last few weeks. 

The delay has reportedly also put a spanner in the works of another big show Hamari Bahu Malini Iyer, featuring '80s superstar Sridevi, that was to debut on Sahara by mid to late June. Hamari Bahu... was to have tied in loyal viewership wooed by Karishma and helped Sahara Manoranjan to rise in the popularity stakes in a post-CAS scenario.

One new show that will launch as per earlier schedules is a Asha Parekh family drama Kuch Pal Saath Tumhara, that will go on air from end June or early July. A Saira Banu production Kisse Apna Kahein has gone on air from 26 May at 10 pm.