This is my first personal interview. I normally only talk about my work. Yes, I have 10 people in my life who I cannot do without. Aur yeh rahe unke naam," says Ekta Kapoor. 1. Shobha Kapoor
My mom is my support and strength. I call her my Rock of Gibraltar. I might have a lot of creativity, but the production and finance is handled by her. She and I have a symbiotic relationship. If we ever think we can start a company without each other, it would be foolish. As a mum, she is awesome. She is as modern as one can get, and at the same time, imbibes traditional values.
2. Jeetendra
My dad is the most fit, good-looking man, who teaches me positive thinking and good behaviour. I know people in my house who say that the cleanliness in his heart has brought us this success — I very much agree. The best part is that everyone thinks of him that way. This, in turn, gives me a lot of hope and optimism in life.
3. Tusshar Kapoor
He is one guy whom I don't need to talk to if I want to convey something. He understands me to the core. We are poles apart — he is meticulous, serious and quiet. My gussa is all out on the surface, while he will never displays emotion. I wouldn't think twice before making enemies, while he will wait for the right moment to strike. He is fiercely protective about me. He refused to give an interview to a channel that poked fun at me.
4. Sunita Menon
She is my guru, guide, friend and sister. We have some karmic connection from our past birth. She has done wonders to my life.
She has protected my nature; she knows exactly what mistakes I'll make. It will take me another lifetime to repay her contribution in my life.
5. Natassha
People call her Anita, but I still call her Natassha or Taashu. She is my best friend. I was undergoing a very tough phase in my life, when I first met her, and she helped me come out of it. I had a lot of hi-society acquaintances, but she treated me like a true friend, and not as a producer.
What a gem of girl she is! My mom loves her as much as she loves me. I don't get Diwali gifts from my mother, but Taashu does. My mom tells me that Taashu will support me throughout my life.
6. Mushtaq Shiekh
Whatever I say, he always counters me. He is the balancing factor in my life. We live a life of excess - either too much work, or too much partying. Power, fame and money can make one go mad. We need someone to question us. He does that, and often, I don't have an answer. I cannot live without him. Without him, I'll die.
7. Shabbir Ahluwalia
This guy will be young even when he turns 80. He is young in his attitude and thinking. When I am with him, I forget all my worries. He makes me laugh, and is the only person who tolerates my mood swings. He is the only person who'll be there at 4 am if I want to go out for coffee. Koi bhi problem ho duniya mein, he just takes it away. He is my anchor.
8. Shabina Khan
She is my oldest friend. I've known her for 10 years. Good, bad, ugly — I have gone through it all with her. At times, I have hated her, and then loved her. We have gone to so many holidays together, we know each other very well. We know how we eat our omlettes. She is older than me, and I teasingly call her Shaboo Khaala. I want to see her married in 2006. Koi ladke ko gunpoint pe rakh ke kidnap karna parega! I want Shabina's baraat to be the grandest ever.
9. Gayatri Gill
I work in an atmosphere where everyone is out to batter you, take your staff away, poach your people. In that kind of culture, Gayatri, Balaji's script head, is one person who has stood by me. I have taught her a lot about television, but she has taught me a lot more about life. Some time ago, we had a fight and she left. She was away for a week, and got 30 offers to join elsewhere, but didn't even consider them. She stands for loyalty and integrity.
10. Nivedita Basu
She has been with me for five-and-a-half years. She was somebody I always opposed — till she became a friend. Today, she is family.
She is one person whose niceness I got to see during the last one year. She is another person who has been offered many thousands more to join other people, but has refused.
Earlier, I could have said I can do without her, but today, I can't. She symbolises Balaji as much as I do. If it's Balaji, it's Nivi. And if Nivi's there, it means Balaji. Her identity and the company's identity has merged.
will dey eva learn its ANITA papers
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
