Latest news with #Ekta
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ekta Kapoor finds comparison between Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Anupamaa ‘unfair': ‘That's in such bad taste, They'll continue to be number 1'
It's the day of the return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, arguably the most seminal daily soap to grace the face of Indian television. Produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, the reboot will see Smriti Irani return as the popular Tulsi Virani, as the show airs on StarPlus and JioHotstar starting today on July 29. With the return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi expected to challenge Anupamaa, the show headlined by Rupali Ganguly and produced by Rajan Shahi, Ekta dismissed the 'unfair' and 'unnecessary' comparison. 'That's in such bad taste. She's such a big star! Anupamaa, the show, and Rajan, the creator, have done what nobody could do in the last seven years. They'll continue to be number 1. And they should continue to be number 1,' said Ekta. In the interview with Brut India, she continued, 'We're coming in with our purpose, to tell our story. These unfair comparisons with lead characters and lead shows are so unnecessary. Pitting women against each other, content against each other is so uncalled for.' Like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Anupamaa also airs on StarPlus and streams on JioHotstar. On Wednesday, StarPlus even dropped a promo which featured a crossover between the two shows. In the promo, Rupali's Anupamaa is seen video-calling Smriti's Tulsi and welcoming her back in Gujarati. She points out that while Anupamaa will air at 10 pm on StarPlus, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi will follow right after at 10:30 pm. Interestingly, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi also first premiered in the 10:30 pm slot back in 2000, right after Amitabh Bachchan's popular quiz show Kaun Banegi Crorepati. In fact, both shows premiered on the same day, July 4, 2000. Sameer Nair, who was the head of programming at StarPlus back then, told SCREEN how Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi never needed a hoarding despite having skyrocketing TRPs across years. However, Smriti Irani recently said in an interview with Mojo Story that putting her show in the 10:30 pm slot in 2000 was more of a 'polite rejection.' She said it was positioned to fail, but Ekta's story saw it through. Nair feels placing Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi right after KBC catapulted it into unprecedented popularity. Ekta recently confessed she was firmly against the idea of bringing back Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi for a second innings on television, but eventually decided to go ahead with it as she wanted to make a show that's not afraid to raise important issues. 'Why would I want to shake up nostalgia? You can never compete with nostalgia. It always remains supreme,' Ekta wrote on her social media before the launch. Also Read — Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, Traitors, IPL, Kapil Sharma: How streaming is replicating television, the very beast it wanted to tame 'We will never win against nostalgia. The fight though, is not about winning. It is about impact,' added Ekta, further explaining the sociocultural impact the daily soap had on Indian families, particularly women, back in the early 2000s. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi ran from 2000 till 2008.
Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Try to copy Ekta Kapoor': Shweta Tiwari recalls behind-the-scenes struggles of shooting Kasautii Zindagii Kay
Kasautii Zindagii Kay star Shweta Tiwari, who worked with daily soap producer Ekta Kapoor, recently opened up about work culture during the filming of the popular drama series. Narrating her experience about extended work shifts and tight schedules during early days in Indian television, she admired Ekta Kapoor's passion and tried to copy her many times. Elaborating on Ekta Kapoor's devotion to her work in a podcast with Bharti Singh and her husband Harsh Limbachiyaa, Shweta Tiwari said, 'The way she used to explain the story, one would get goosebumps. Whenever she used to say the lines, I felt she was performing better than I. So many times, I used to try to copy Ekta Kapoor's way of delivering lines. Her passion was something.' Kasautii Zindagii Kay actress, who played the role of Prerna Sharma, made a big revelation about her work hours and said that she shot nonstop for 72 hours straight without a break. Giving a glimpse of the hustle in the small screen industry, Shweta said, "After working a 30-day schedule, I used to get payment for 45 days, and that is because my first shift used to be from 7 in the morning to 7 in the evening, and the second shift was from 7 in the evening to 2 am in the morning.' Inspired by Ekta's unmatched energy and determination, Shweta Tiwari said, 'Ekta soti hi nahi thi (she never used to sleep), she had 22 shows running at one time. People used to ask me, 'Aren't you tired and I would say, but Ekta is working too'.' She further shed light upon the work culture during the golden era of Indian TV and claimed that Ekta as a producer was dedicated and spontaneously attended to all queries about scenes at any hour of the day. "Whenever I used to call Ekta, she would pick up the call in one ring. She used to explain the whole scene in detail,' Shweta added. One of Indian television's most iconic and popular daily soaps — Kasautii Zindagii Kay aired from 2001 to 2008 on Star Plus. Created by Ekta Kapoor, it was produced under the banner Balaji Telefilms.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Shweta Tiwari Recalls Ekta Kapoor Juggling 22 TV Shows, Shooting For 72 Hours: 'Soti Hi Nahi Thi'
Shweta Tiwari reveals Ekta Kapoor once juggled 22 shows at once and barely slept during Indian TV's wild early 2000s era. Back when Indian daily soaps ruled prime time and every living room echoed with dramatic background scores, there was one woman quietly running the entire showbiz circus behind the scenes — and never sleeping through it. Literally. Actor Shweta Tiwari, known for her lead role as Prerna in the iconic Kasautii Zindagii Kay, recently pulled back the curtain on just how intense the behind-the-scenes grind was in the early 2000s. And surprisingly, her biggest praise wasn't for her co-stars or her own performance — but for the powerhouse producer who juggled 22 shows at once: Ekta Kapoor. Speaking on a podcast with Bharti Singh, Shweta didn't hold back on sharing how insane those schedules were, both for the actors and the creators. She revealed that during one stretch, she and Ekta worked non-stop for 72 hours — no sleep, no breaks. 'Ekta soti hi nahi thi, she had 22 shows running at one time," Shweta said. 'People used to ask me, 'Aren't you tired?' and I would say, 'But Ekta is working too'." And it wasn't just about being on top of a hectic production slate. According to Shweta, Ekta Kapoor was deeply involved in the creative grind. She wasn't just making calls — she was crafting scenes in real time. 'Whenever I used to call Ekta, she would pick up the call in one ring," Shweta said. 'She used to explain the whole scene in detail." Shweta said she often looked to Ekta for performance inspiration. 'The way she used to explain the story, one would get goosebumps," she said. 'Whenever she used to say the lines, I felt she was performing better than I. So many times, I used to try to copy Ekta Kapoor's way of delivering lines. Her passion was something." Kasautii Zindagii Kay, one of Ekta's biggest hits, aired from 2001 to 2008 and starred Shweta as Prerna opposite Cezanne Khan's Anurag Basu. It turned into a cultural landmark thanks to its emotional rollercoaster of love, betrayal and unforgettable villains like Komolika. The show was so loved that it got a reboot in 2018. First Published: July 27, 2025, 08:32 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Shweta Tiwari reveals she used to copy Ekta Kapoor on sets of Kasautii Zindagii Kay: ‘She was a better performer'
Actor Shweta Tiwari recently opened up about the extreme schedules and behind-the-scenes hustle that defined her early days in Indian television. In a candid revelation, the Kasautii Zindagii Kay star shared that she shot nonstop for 72 hours along with producer Ekta Kapoor, who was also a fantastic performer. Shweta Tiwari shared her admiration for Ekta Kapoor's unmatched energy while producing 22 shows simultaneously in the 2000s. Shweta Tiwari talks about working with Ekta But what would surprise many would be her admiration for producer Ekta Kapoor, who, according to Shweta, worked just as tirelessly, if not more. In a podcast with Bharti Singh, Shweta said, 'Ekta soti hi nahi thi (she never used to sleep), she had 22 shows running at one time. People used to ask me, 'Aren't you tired and I would say, but Ekta is working too'. Whenever I used to call Ekta, she would pick up the call in one ring. She used to explain the whole scene in detail.' Shweta said, expressing awe at Ekta's unmatched energy and commitment during the golden era of Indian TV. What's more, Shweta confessed that Ekta wasn't just a producer, but also a natural performer. 'The way she used to explain the story, one would get goosebumps. Whenever she used to say the lines, I felt she was performing better than I. So many times, I used to try to copy Ekta Kapoor's way of delivering lines. Her passion was something,' Shweta revealed. Shweta's revelations offer a rare glimpse into the relentless work culture of early 2000s Indian television, and the kind of creative intensity that defined stars both in front of and behind the camera. About Kasautii Zindagii Kay Kasautii Zindagii Kay was one of Indian television's most iconic daily soaps, created by Ekta Kapoor and produced under Balaji Telefilms. Originally airing from 2001 to 2008 on Star Plus, the show followed the intense love story of Prerna Sharma (played by Shweta Tiwari) and Anurag Basu (played by Cezanne Khan). The series became a cultural phenomenon with themes of love, sacrifice, betrayal, and destiny. It is known for its dramatic plot twists and unforgettable characters, like the scheming Komolika. The series' popularity led to a reboot in 2018.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Ekta Kapoor Clarifies Her Exit From ALTT In 2021 Amid Streaming Ban: 'Not Associated In Any Capacity'
Last Updated: Ekta Kapoor, who co-founded ALTT under Balaji Telefilms, has now distanced herself from the platform in a strongly-worded statement shared via her social media. Ekta Kapoor has officially clarified that she has had no association with the streaming platform ALTT since June 2021. The statement comes shortly after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) banned the platform alongside several others, citing the promotion of objectionable and pornographic content. According to the MIB, a total of 25 digital links and platforms were flagged for circulating explicit material through advertisements. These included ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots app, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab app, Kangan app, Bull app, and Jalva app, among others. Ekta Kapoor, who co-founded ALTT under Balaji Telefilms, has now distanced herself from the platform in a strongly-worded statement shared via her social media. 'Balaji Telefilms Limited, listed on the BSE and NSE, is a professionally run media organization and following the recent amalgamation of ALT Digital Media Entertainment Ltd. (previously its wholly owned subsidiary) duly approved by the Hon'ble NCLT, it operates ALTT wef June 20, 2025," the statement read. She further added, 'Media reports have been in circulation about ALTT being disabled by the authorities, however, contrary to such reports, Ms. Ekta Kapoor and Mrs. Shobha Kapoor are not associated in any capacity whatsoever with ALTT and they had stepped down from their association with ALTT way back in June 2021. Any insinuation contrary to the above facts is strongly denied and media is requested to report the accurate facts." View this post on Instagram A post shared by EktaaRkapoor (@ektarkapoor) Balaji Telefilms also stressed that it is fully compliant with applicable laws and operates with the highest standards of corporate governance. Interestingly, this is not the first time Ekta Kapoor has spoken about the challenges and bold choices behind launching ALTT, formerly known as ALTBalaji. In an interview with journalist Faye D'Souza, Ekta admitted that being 'risque" was a deliberate part of the platform's strategy. 'I had gone for a holiday, and my son was inside the house and I didn't know what was happening," she said, recounting the time there was a protest outside her residence due to ALTT's content. 'Absolutely, yes. I would not deny the strategy," she admitted when asked if being provocative was intentional. Defending her content choices, Ekta said, 'I feel bad girls make history… you have to be out there, and some people will hate you, but you have to say what you believe in." She further clarified, 'I always say that I don't have a problem with sex. I have a lot of problems with sexual crime." She also revealed her vision of making ALTT a sex-positive platform curated by women. 'We are going to normalise sex for the world… and wear it on our sleeves," she said, arguing that showcasing women in bold roles was just as progressive as portraying them in traditional attire. view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 00:33 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
