Ekta kapoor showtime interview

"THE MINUTE I FIND A MAN, I'LL ONLY BE TOTALLY DEVOTED TO HIM"




At 31, Ekta Kapoor is the most envied woman entrepreneur in the country, with more success to shoulder than any other person her age and gender, at least when you consider the entertainment industry in the Asian subcontinent. Managing a round-the-clock schedule, that keeps her in and out of the studio floors where her soaps and films are simultaneously shot, Ekta Kapoor represents that go-getter spirit of Gen-X, which thinks upward mobility is fun. She negotiates the ups and downs in the corporate world of snakes and ladders with childlike glee and curiosity. Showtime caught up with the enterprising lady for a quick tte--tte.

Would you say 2009 wasn't the best year for you, at least professionally?
Let's be honest. It was terrible. But I'm learning. I always had this fear within me. What would life be like if I wasn't No.1 on television? Now I've overcome that fear. I'm very happy to be the same person, have the same set of cool friends and live my life on my own terms in spite of the setbacks. I've started exploring different horizons. Balaji had a supreme innings. And we're happy for that. Now other production houses are doing well too. And I'm happy for them. The monopolistic stage is over.

Keeping that in mind, what plans have you charted out for Balaji ahead?
Now is the stage when we have to deal with the competition. Now is the time for us to diversify. The recession is a good time to diversify. We're paying much less for the diversification process than we'd have under a normal economy. By the time the boom comes, we'll be ready to
make our profits. We're streamlin-ing our movie productions. There are new avenues. We're setting up a Balaji website.

Do you think the soap Balika Vadhu on the channel Colors changed audiences' tastes?
There was Bidaai and Balika Vadhu. Both changed viewers' tastes. Just like my Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki many years ago.
But I personally feel it's not the concept, but the sincerity that works.

So what would be the new Balaji formula?
No formula. We'll just be doing different shows. I can't repeat any formula. My shows Pavitra Rishta and Bandini are working. It's great fun.

What's happening with the entire movie scene?
We've started shooting for Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, which is to be shot in the city itself. We've recreated the 1970s on a studio set. We've got Ajay Devgn,
Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai and Kangna Ranaut on board. Kangna is looking stunning. She looks like
Audrey Hepburn in our film! I'm very kicked about
this movie.

What's happening in your personal life? When are you getting married?
There you go again! Not for another two years for sure. I've been able to chart out my professional life. But I can never chart out my personal life. Everyone around me wants to find a husband for me. My poor brother Tusshar is asked about my marriage. He needs to worry about his own marriage. I'm the least bothered. People find it hard to believe this, but I'm a diehard romantic. Everyone believes I'm a ruthless cynic. My favourite film is Yash Chopra's Dil To Pagal Hai. I really believe there's someone somewhere for me.

But where is that wretched man?
I just have to find him. But I can feel him inching forward. I believe in God and destiny. I feel he'll show up at the right time. Once I find the right man, I'll be concentrating more on him than on my work. Let me concentrate on my work now. Because the minute I find a man, I'll only be totally devoted to him.

It's hard to believe but you sound like a hopeless romantic.
That I am. Why can't I be? But please don't call me a hopeless romantic. I'm hopeful. At the moment all my emotions are going into my shows. But a couple of years from now, I'll be ready to put everything aside for a prolonged honeymoon. Right now, I'm having a good time. Let me enjoy my work for a couple more years.

Don't you crave for an ordinary life of marriage, babies, etc?
No, I don't at the moment. If I did, I'd go out and and get it. I think I won't be ready for marriage for the next two years. I'm a free spirit. I am Bohemian in thought and conservative in action.

Finally, what are you looking forward to this year?
Me. I am born again. And I believe in the old adage…. This too shall pass. The bad times will soon be over for Balaji. Kissi ki nazar na lag jaye.

*Courtesy: Showtime