The telecast of Sahara Television's much hyped Rs 60 crore (approximately US$ 12.72 million) serial Karishma -- A Miracle of Destiny has been stayed till the Supreme Court decides on a petition filed by New York-based novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford alleging that it is a plagiarised version of her book, A Woman of Substance.

Sahara's plea to vacate the May 12 interim Supreme Court order staying the serial's telecast was rejected by a bench comprising Justice N Santosh Hegde and Justice Shivaraj V Patil.

They also stayed all proceedings in the case before the Calcutta high court.

The Supreme Court bench admitted Bradford's appeal challenging the Calcutta high court order nullifying the stay granted by a single judge of the high court on the telecast of the soap.

Karishma features popular film actress Karisma Kapoor in the lead role. The serial was telecast on May 12, but suspended a day later.

The serial's cast -- including Karisma, Sanjay Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Vikas Bhalla and Paritosh Painter -- and crew celebrated the airing of the first episode by watching it together at the residence of the director Akashdeep.

Now, however, even they will have to wait for the second episode.

PTI

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 18 Sub: ''Inspiration'' Bollywood should stop getting its "Inspiration" from others. Why dont they create something original..?? Posted by senthil Sub: Karishma'a Miracle Bollywood has been doing it for years and years now, and it's about time they are taught a lesson. I am sick and tired of ... Posted by Sash Sub: Hollywood Cry Babies Rediff has missed the angle where Barbara, is trying to be a Saviour of Hollywood and blasting Bollywood... As if they never copy from Bollywood... Posted by Assad Sub: now thats sad.... well.. alls well thats ends well.. this will go on for sometime and then some smart fellow can make a serial on this.. hopefully there ... Posted by rak Sub: plagiarism...our producers are shameless simple..our filmakers have run out on ideas. gita Posted by gita subramanian