Ekta Kapoor plots with Mathures Paul

Basic instinct

She has popped more eyeballs on television than most television producers can lay claim to. Critics follow her every venture, but nobody can ignore
Ekta Kapoor. The soap queen plots with Mathures Paul

The world Ekta Kapoor creates on screen is fantastical. Her characters, at times, conniving. The women manipulative. The soaps, not at all inspired by the West. On the contrary, they can teach directors in the West a lesson or two. Kapoor has grown up on a healthy dose of television in an era less known for glitzy sets and more for acting skills. Today, she is a household name, every housewife's companion during luncheon and television's only queen. Quite particular about her looks, she is not at all a fan of Jeetendra when it comes to dressing up! And she is different from her brother Tusshar, who believes in making a name for himself in films. It was her illustrious father who supported Ekta, both financially and as a concerned parent, in her endeavours. Success came in the form of Hum Paanch, which changed her future completely. And the production house synonymous with boo-hoo-hoo and I-will-get-you productions, Balaji Telefilms was born. Ekta has made the small screen a lucrative field for countless upcoming stars and stars of yesteryears. However important a name she maybe in the industry, Kapoor is a down-to-earth person who is never tired to wear a smile even after working 20 hours a day.
"It's sheer instinct," she says as to how characters jump out of her creative thinking process. "We (members of the creative team) discuss the emotions and reactions of television viewers. Kasauti… was about cursed love, Kahani… has an idealistic plot in which people are good and in Kyunki… there was a role reversal. While watching Kyunki… a mother-in-law can remember her in-law."
Her latest effort is Karam Apna Apna ~ the story of a simple girl. "She is the third angle of a tri-angle." The serial, which Star Plus will air on 29 August, is the story of a middle-class girl, Gauri, who hails from Kolkata. Her ambition is to lead a simple life complete with children and husband. But when she is about to realise her dream by marrying her fianc, Shashank, life takes a different turn. The serial's first few episodes have been shot in Kolkata around Victoria Memorial, on the banks of the Hooghly, Howrah Bridge and so on.
"Kolkata is such a romantic city. It makes you feel at home. The laid-back nature makes you read a book or do nothing. The city has always appeared in my shows. This time the backdrop is the city. When I visit the city, my only craving is for sandesh. I live to eat! Since I am not Bengali, my view of the city will be different and that's what is presented in the show."
She is also open to experimenting with all kinds of plots for her films and serials. "I don't believe in moral policing. As long a plot does not show things in a bad light or is cheap, I don't mind working on it. In my films I don't mind being bohemian."
Ekta is working on a reality show to be aired soon. "This is uncharted territory. Nothing has been finalised and I will be endorsing a spiritual product. It will have my face on the cover." So, that tilak on her forehead is for making a style statement? "Definitely not. I apply the tikka because of my beliefs. Some consider it a style statement… I am not a conformist, just spiritual."
And about the men in her serials? "People like bad boys. Men are best when they are bad. Bad men are good!"