Ekta Kapoor

Last updated

Ekta Kapoor
Ekta Kapoor in 2025.jpg
Ekta Kapoor in 2025
Born (1975-06-07) 7 June 1975 (age 50)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Alma mater Mithibai College
Occupations
Years active1995–present
Organizations
Children1
Parents
Relatives
Awards International Emmy Directorate Award (2023)
Honours Padma Shri (2020) [1]

Ekta Kapoor (born 7 June 1975) [2] [3] is an Indian television and film producer, known for her work in Hindi television and Bollywood cinema. She is the founder of Balaji Telefilms Limited, where she serves as joint managing director and creative head. [4] [5]

Contents

Kapoor began her career at the age of 17 and became known for producing a large number of television soap operas in Hindi, many of which gained significant popularity during the late 1990s and 2000s. [6] Her biggest success came in 2000 with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on StarPlus which had the highest TRP for an Indian serial with 22.4 and was the most successful serial at its time. She followed it with Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000) and Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001) to become the Queen of Indian television. [7] [8]

In 2001, Balaji Motion Pictures was launched as a subsidiary company of Balaji Telefilms Limited, which is a film production and distribution company. In addition to television, Kapoor has produced several Hindi films through Balaji Motion Pictures, including The Dirty Picture , Lootera , Main Tera Hero , Dream Girl , [9] Crew , [10] and The Sabarmati Report . [11]

In April 2017, she launched ALTBalaji, a video on demand platform. [12] [13] In 2022, she and her mother, Shobha Kapoor, stepped down from operations of ALTBalaji. The platform's management was subsequently taken over by Vivek Koka as Chief Business Officer. [14] [15] In 2025, this app was banned by the Government of India on OTT Platforms for over obscene and vulgar content. [16]

In 2017, Kapoor also launched her biography, Kingdom of the Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms . [17]

Kapoor was honored with the Padma Shri in 2020 for her work in the field of arts. [1] She is also honored with the 2023 International Emmy Directorate Award at the 51st International Emmy Awards. [18] [19]

Kapoor has recently announced several upcoming projects in film and television. Among her film productions are Vrusshabha , starring Mohanlal [20] and Bhoot Bangla featuring Akshay Kumar. [21] She is also producing Vvan, with Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah in lead roles. [22] On television, she is working on the seventh season of her long-running supernatural series Naagin . [23]

Personal life

Kapoor (center) with younger brother Tusshar (left) and father Jeetendra (right) Jeetendra with his son Tusshar and daughter Ekta.jpg
Kapoor (center) with younger brother Tusshar (left) and father Jeetendra (right)

Kapoor is the daughter of actors Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor. Her younger brother, Tusshar Kapoor, is also a Bollywood actor. [24] [25] [26]

She went to school at Bombay Scottish School, Mahim and attended college at Mithibai College. [27]

Kapoor is not married but she has a son who was born on 27 January 2019 by surrogacy. [28] [29] She had previously frozen her eggs at the age of 36 [30] and later used in vitro fertilization (IVF) as part of the surrogacy process. [31] [32]

Career

Ekta Kapoor started her career at the age of 17, interning with advertisement and feature filmmaker Kailash Surendranath. After obtaining financing from her father, she was a producer under her banner, Balaji Telefilms. [33] Her initial projects were failures, with six of her pilot episodes being rejected, leading to a total loss of ₹50 lakh (equivalent to ₹2.0 croreorUS$240,000 in 2023). In 1995, Mano Ya Na Mano was selected by Zee TV, and her music-based show Dhun Dhamaka was chosen by Doordarshan. Her 1995 sitcom, Hum Paanch was her first success. [34]

In the 2000s, the letter 'K' became her lucky alphabet, and she launched many shows with the first word of every title starting with the same letter, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , [35] which broke all records to become the series to attract the highest TRPs in 2000. Other shows beginning with 'K' include Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki , Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii , Kohi Apna Sa , Kaahin Kissii Roz , Kalash , Kasautii Zindagii Kay , Kahiin To Hoga , and Kasamh Se . In 2001, she was awarded the title of Best Entrepreneur of the Year. [33]

By July 2001, Kapoor was producing more than 30 hours of television shows per week. 20 of her 34 serials were listed as the most popular serials across all major TV channels like Zee TV, Sony, Star Plus, and Metro. Her projected turnover for 2000–2001 was listed as ₹35 crore (equivalent to ₹139 croreorUS$16 million in 2023). [34]

After establishing herself in Hindi TV serials, she began venturing into other regional languages, starting with the Tamil series, Kudumbum. The series became very popular, and she then had it dubbed into Telugu and launched it in Hindi as Ghar Ek Mandir . She then ventured into Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Bengali languages. As of 2001, Kapoor wrote her own scripts despite having writers working for her, taking an active interest in all stages of production, while her mother, Shobha, handled the accounts. [34]

Kapoor has thus created and produced more than 130 Indian soap operas. Some of her other popular shows include Pavitra Rishta , Bade Achhe Lagte Hain , Yeh Hai Mohabbatein , Jodha Akbar ,[ citation needed ] Naagin , Kumkum Bhagya , Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki , Kundali Bhagya , Yeh Hai Chahatein , and several others that were credited with starting a new wave on Indian television, leading to her being known as the "Czarina of Television" and "the Queen of Indian Television". [33] [36] [37]

She ventured into Bollywood movie production in 2001, beginning with Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta , starring Sushmita Sen and Govinda. [34] Kucch To Hai and Krishna Cottage , based on supernatural themes, followed in 2003 and 2004. The 2005 Kyaa Kool Hai Hum featured her brother Tusshar Kapoor. She then went on to co-produce Shootout at Lokhandwala with Sanjay Gupta. This was followed by Mission Istanbul and EMI – Liya Hai Toh Chukana Padhega in collaboration with Sunil Shetty. None of these films were commercial or critical successes.

Between 2010 and 2014, she produced many successful films, including Love Sex aur Dhokha , Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai , and Shor in the City .

In 2012, Ekta Kapoor started the Institute of Creative Excellence, [38] [39] a media training school, through her production house, Balaji Telefilms. [40] [41]

Beliefs and Naming Practices

During the early 2000s, Ekta Kapoor produced several Hindi television dramas, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which received high viewership. Around the same time, she produced a number of other series with titles beginning with the letter "K," such as Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay. [42] [43] [44] Kapoor has mentioned in interviews that this naming trend was influenced by her belief in astrology, [45] [46] particularly the significance of certain letters. [47] [48] Kapoor has also spoken about her spiritual beliefs, identifying as Hindu and describing herself as more spiritual than religious. [49]

Filmography

Television

Film

Accolades

Kapoor being awarded Padma Shri, c. 2021 Padma Shri Ekta Kapoor.jpg
Kapoor being awarded Padma Shri, c. 2021

Kapoor also works on scriptwriting, creative conversion, and concept building. Having been chosen as one of 50 of ‘Asia's Most Powerful Communicators’ by Asia Week magazine in 2001, [50] she has helped launch the careers of many actors and actresses. [51]

She was chosen to lead the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) entertainment committee. The other awards she received are; The Society Achiever Award [52] and The Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2001. [52]

Kapoor is regarded as one of the most powerful ladies in the television industry and is amongst the top 25 woman entrepreneurs of India. [53]

She was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honor, in 2020 for her work in the field of arts. [54] [55]

Kapoor has also received awards as the producer of Balaji Telefilms. These include the Indian Television Academy Awards, Indian Telly Awards, Kalakar Awards, Asian Television Awards, Apsara Awards, Zee Rishtay Awards, 3rd Boroplus Awards, New Talent Awards, BIG Star Entertainment Awards, 4th Boroplus Awards, GR8! Women Awards, Asia's Social Empowerment Awards, Lions Gold Awards, Stardust Awards, Screen Awards, Pune International Film Festival, Zee Gaurav Puraskar, National Media Network Film and TV Awards, the Global Indian Film and TV Honors, and ETC Bollywood Business Awards. [51]

The following is the recent list of awards received by Kapoor:

YearAwardCategoryRef
2017 Indian Television Academy Awards Sterling Icon of Entertainment [56]
2018 Business Today Most Powerful Woman in Indian Business [57]
FICCI Ladies Organisation Icon of the Year [58]
Indian Television Academy Awards Highest rated Show on TV – Naagin (season 3) [59]
Premiere Web Channel of the Year – ALTBalaji [60]
Jagran Cinema Summit Awards Icon of Entertainment [61]
Forbes Tycoon of Tomorrow Icon of Excellence [62] [63]
Outlook India Speakout Awards Woman Achiever of the Year [64]
2019 Hindustan Times Business Awards Business Icon of Continent [65]
ET Business Awards Content Creator of the Year [66] [67]
Business Today Most Powerful Woman in Indian Business [68]
Businessworld BW Most Influential Woman of India [69]
Hindustan Times HT Most Stylish Film Maker of the Year [70]
Fortune India Awards Most Powerful Business Women of the Year [71]
2020 Padma Shri India's fourth highest civilian honour in the field of Arts, from the Government of India [55]
2023 51st International Emmy Awards International Emmy Directorate Award

References

  1. 1 2 "Padma Awards 2020". Ministry of Home Affairs (Govt. of India). Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  2. ↑ "PICS: Ekta Kapoor's 41st birthday bash". The Times of India. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  3. ↑ Bajaj, Simran (7 June 2016). "Happy birthday Ekta Kapoor: 6 things to remind you why she is a big deal". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor's Recent Story Goes Viral On Internet". News18. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor's Acting School". Ekta Kapoor's Acting Institute. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor's 3-decade career got her TV's 'Queen of Desi K-dramas' title. Now, she's cracked the OTT code". The Economic Times. 7 June 2022. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor Recalls Her Initial Years Of Entering The Entertainment Industry". Outlook India. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  8. ↑ "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to Kasautii Zindagii Kay: A look at Ekta Kapoor's career-defining shows on her birthday". The Times of India. 7 June 2019. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor on Ayushmann Khurrana in Dream Girl: It takes a lot to play a woman and he has that ability". India Today. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  10. ↑ Shah, Vrutika (9 November 2022). "Ektaa R Kapoor: "I want to be known as someone who cannot be put in a box and whose content never stays in one either"". Vogue India. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor confirms remake of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in the works". The Tribune. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "From bold characters to clutter-breaking content; 5 changes Ekta Kapoor's shows will see in digital space". India Today. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  13. ↑ "The 'Alt'ernate Strategy". Outlook Business. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  14. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor step down as ALTBalaji heads, Vivek Koka is new Chief Business Officer - BusinessToday". Business Today. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  15. ↑ "Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor step down as heads of Alt Balaji, announced Vivek Koka as Chief Business Officer".
  16. ↑ Das, Ananya (26 July 2025). "Ekta Kapoor issues clarification after govt bans ALTT, 24 OTT apps for vulgar content: 'Not associated in any capacity'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  17. ↑ "Kingdom of The Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms". Harper Collins. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  18. ↑ Banerjee, Ashish. "Ekta Kapoor honoured with 2023 International Emmy Directorate Award". BruTimes.
  19. ↑ "Ektaa Kapoor shows off her Emmy award with big smile at Mumbai airport as she returns from New York. Watch". Hindustan Times. 27 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "Mohanlal finally gives an update on long-awaited project Vrusshabha; fans hope it makes ₹1000 crore". Hindustan Times. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  21. ↑ Bharat, E. T. V. (12 January 2025). "Tabu Joins Akshay Kumar's Horror Comedy Bhooth Bangla; Kickstarts Shoot in Jaipur". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  22. ↑ "Tamannaah Bhatia to star opposite Sidharth Malhotra in Ekta Kapoor's 'Vvan': Report". The Times of India. 26 April 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  23. ↑ डेस्क, एबीपी एंटरटेनमेंट (25 August 2025). "'वो आ रही है...', दो साल के इंतजार के बाद 'नागिन 7' की पहली झलक आई सामने". ABP News (in Hindi). Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  24. ↑ Sabharwal, Rahul (21 January 2010). "Meet the 'real' Ekta Kapoor". Hindustan Times . Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  25. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor springs a surprise" . The Hindu . 1 July 2002. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  26. ↑ "Ekta & family take pay cut; still get over Rs 5 cr". The Indian Express. PTI. 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor- Joint Managing Director&Creative Director of Balaji Telefilms". IndianBillGates. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.[ better source needed ]
  28. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor names her newborn son after father Jeetendra, calls him Ravie Kapoor". Hindustan Times. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  29. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor on becoming a mother: 'I had stored my eggs when I was 36. Had a calling for a long time'". Hindustan Times. 7 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  30. ↑ "The challenges of egg freezing that no one told you about". India Today. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  31. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor on becoming a mother: 'I had stored my eggs when I was 36, had a calling for long time'". The Tribune. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  32. ↑ "Top Bollywood celebrities who chose surrogacy for parenthood". The Times of India. 22 January 2022. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  33. 1 2 3 Bajwa, Dimpal (7 June 2017). "From being known as a superstar's daughter to becoming TV's Czarina, here's how Ekta Kapoor's career shaped up". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  34. 1 2 3 4 Khosla, Surabhi (19 July 2001). "She is the queen of primetime". The Tribune. Chandigarh. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  35. ↑ ""25 Years of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi"". Kovid Gupta Films. 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025– via YouTube.
  36. ↑ "TV czarina Ekta Kapoor on moving from conservative shows to nonconformist work". India Today. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  37. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor 'swears' she is not queen of TV". The Indian Express. 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  38. ↑ "Now, Ekta Kapoor in front of the camera". Firstpost. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  39. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor's Acting Schools in Delhi & Mumbai, India – ICE Institute". Ekta Kapoor's Acting Institute. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  40. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor faces the camera for the first time". NDTV. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  41. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor to groom actors in her media school". The Indian Express. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  42. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor's 3-decade career got her TV's 'Queen of Desi K-dramas' title. Now, she's cracked the OTT code". The Economic Times. 7 June 2022. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  43. ↑ "Ekta kapoor birthday special from her obsession with the letter k to donning numerous rings a look at how her superstitions made news 1841755". bollywood-life. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  44. ↑ SNS (7 June 2022). "Birthday Girl Ekta Kapoor: A Journey of grit and success". The Statesman. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  45. ↑ "Amitabh bachchan salman khan kangana ranaut and other top 6 celebrities and their astrological beliefs 3076692". bollywood-life. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  46. ↑ "Bollywood Stars and Their Astrological Beliefs". The Times of India. 3 April 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  47. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor makes unusual demand before delivering speech at SRK's Ted Talks | Ekta Kapoor makes unusual demand before delivering speech at SRK's Ted Talks". www.deccanchronicle.com. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  48. ↑ "I'm not superstitious, I only have beliefs: Ekta Kapoor". India Today. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  49. ↑ "I don't call myself a religious person: Ekta Kapoor". The Times of India. 13 June 2016. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  50. ↑ "Tejpal, Ekta and Murthy among Asia's 50 most powerful communicators: Asiaweek". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. 25 May 2001. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  51. 1 2 "Ekta Kapoor Biography, Pictures and Facts". Famous Entrepreneurs. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  52. 1 2 "Ekta Kapoor Biography – Life Story, Career, Awards and Achievements". mapsofindia.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  53. ↑ "In 25 most powerful ladies list". Archived from the original on 11 September 2018.
  54. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor bestowed with Padma Shri award; says 'I hope to continue breaking boundaries' – Times of India". The Times of India. 26 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  55. 1 2 "Ministry of Home Affairs" (PDF). padmaawards.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  56. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor awarded as Sterling Icon of Indian Entertainment at the ITA Awards 2017". Mid-day. 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  57. ↑ "The Most Powerful Women in Business 2017". businesstoday.in. 22 September 2017. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  58. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor Receives The Flo Icon Award From The President Of India". Indian Television Dot Com. 5 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  59. ↑ "Who Won What at Indian Television Academy Awards 2018". The Quint. 12 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  60. ↑ "ALTBalaji receives the Premier Web Channel award at the prestigious ITA 2018". 21 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  61. ↑ "It's hat trick for Ekta Kapoor!". Glamsham. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  62. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor honored yet again for being a content powerhouse". NewsX. 16 March 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  63. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor bags Icon of Excellence at Tycoons of Tomorrow Awards". The Statesman. 26 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  64. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor Wins 3 Awards Back To Back Lifestyle – Askmen India". in.askmen.com. 3 October 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  65. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor receives the Business Icon of the continent award | Hindi Movie News – Bollywood – Times of India". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  66. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor bags the title of 'Content Creator of the Year' at ET awards – Times of India". The Times of India. 26 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  67. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor wins title of 'Content Creator of The Year' at Economic Times Awards". 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  68. ↑ "The Most Powerful Woman on Indian TV – Ekta Kapoor". 17 February 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  69. ↑ Mathur, Priyaanka. "BW Most Influential Woman Of India: Ekta Kapoor, MD & Creative Head, Balaji Telefilms". BW Businessworld. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  70. ↑ "HT India's Most Stylish 2019: From Kareena Kapoor to Ranveer Singh, check out the full list of winners". Hindustan Times. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  71. ↑ "Ekta Kapoor bagged 'Most Powerful Business Women of the year' at a recent awards function". Box Office India. 11 November 2019. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.