"Balaji Telefilms has always encouraged new talent. We are looking out for fresh faces for our forthcoming serials, films and projects. Also the problem of getting dates with the regular artistes was one of the main reasons that prompted us to hold a mass audition, " says Balaji COO Rajesh Pavithran. The production house is keen on launching new faces in lead roles as the regular artistes have been exploited enough, he adds.

"We have about three serials in the pipeline. All three of them are based on entirely new concepts , quite different from the popular 'saas-bahu' sagas currently on air," says Balaji casting director Jeet Chaudhary.

The soap factory hopes to shortlist the candidates within a week.