There is only ONE Ekta Kapoor & there will never be anyone like her - here's why

Initially television, then films, and now web - there is literally no form of entertainment medium left for Miss Ekta Ravi Kapoor to conquer with absolute supremacy and silence the critics time and again.

The kind of transition and balance the lady has maintained over all these years is truly a lesson for those aspirants out there, and her midas touch is quite literally the outcome of her hardwork, vision and belief.

On the occasion of Ekta's birthday, today, I list down 5 times when Ekta Kapoor was unapologetic, bold and badass about her project choices-

After the humongous success of her debut show as a producer with Hum Paanch, Ekta made some bold choices with her projects, which unfortunately did not work out too well. She did shows like Padosan, Itihaas, Kundali and Kavita, which went unnoticed by many. Then came her time to rule the space as she introduced the viewers to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and Koshish Ek Aasha. TV was never going to be the same anymore. Thanks to the former two shows, millions and at a time even over a billion people would constantly just talk about it and who can forget the gargantuan viewership and rage that happened with Mihir's comeback in Tulsi's life. So, let's just admit it if you haven't already that you, I and everyone has seen it and as much as you wonder 'why', it doesn't take away the feat that was accomplished.

The reason I mention Koshish... Ek Aasha in the same bracket is because, at the time, where Ekta was receiving some flak for the OTT presentation through Kyunki and Kahaani, nobody realised that she has a show like Koshish running simultaneously too. Some critics did, so, it better not be forgotten that the lady knows to balance things, and has always!

Apart from ruling the TV space, Ekta decided to venture into films with Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta, Kucch To Hai, Krishna Cottage and Koi Aap Sa. All of them bombed, but the producer remained dedicated and kept her vision clear till she got her first hit in the form of Kya Kool Hai Hum - an adult comedy. She continued to have a mixed response about several films in the future, until she found a purple patch with Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai, The Dirty Picture, Ragini MMS and Love Sex Aur Dhoka. Her film choices were bold, badass and even though there were some misses, it did not take away her conviction in content, where she proved the same by distributing Lipstick Under My Burkha and producing Veere Di Wedding recently.

She understood the constant need to innovate and change with time, where she got rid of the K factor and continued to remain focused on her choices of TV projects later. An amalgamation of content and commercialization was presented where on one hand we were introduced to shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Bade Acche Lagte Hai among others to the point, where we had some eye-openers like Parichay, Kya Hua Tera Vaada, V:The Serial, Itna Karo Na Muje Pyaar among others. Her choices speaks volumes about the foresight that the lady always has had.

Umpteen years have passed by and times have changed completely, but there is a reason why Ekta is still the undisputed leader in the TV space and that is - her constant need to innovate and not stop. There hasn't been a moment throughout the years, where the producer has flickered with her TV projects, and even today, when you see the rating charts, the popularity and the rage of the current lot of shows; you would find multiple Ekta Kapoor projects in that list. Be it the longrunners like Yeh Hai Mohabbatein or Kumkum Bhagya to the always-talked about Naagin franchise, the flak or criticism that she has received has only transpired into several molds of success for the lady.

And finally, we talk about her latest queendom (not kingdom) i.e. the web world. In a mere year of her web platform Alt Balaji being launched, she has absolutely invaded the space with the plethora of shows that she presented. She shut all the mouths, who would talk about her not backing content over commercialization and gave us absolute gems like Bose: Dead/Alive, The Test Case, Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai among a few others. From Hindi to Bengali to Bhojpuri and what not! Alt Balaji is one of the most watched digital platforms across India and she continues to pleasantly surprise with her future projects too.

For a person to rule the entertainment space over changing times and not leave the throne for almost 23 years and counting is a gigantic feat that the rarest of people are able to achieve. However, unlike those people out there, I don't want to tag this as luck, as it is the sheer hardwork and self-belief that makes Ekta what she is today.

You can talk all you want about her, but there is no and will be no debate on how Ekta is the czarina of all mediums in it's true sense.

 

I and the team of India-Forums wish Ekta Kapoor a very Happy and Blessed Birthday!