When Ekta Kapoor modified the TV sport in 2000: Her 3 early collaborators spill the beans

It all began in a storage with an thought a few sitcom about 5 women and a few borrowed cash. The 12 months was 1995 and a newly liberalised India was taking a look at an leisure growth and Ekta Kapoor could be the queen of it. Hum Paanch would result in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, TV would result in movies after which OTT, however these have been early days but. Ruling the TV business was maybe a twinkle in her eye presently, however as those that collaborated with Ekta again in these days, there was no doubting the resolve.
On Ekta Kapoor’s birthday in the present day, we map her rise from a teenaged producer to the ‘czarina of television’ who modified the best way India watched TV. She also needs to be credited to introduce us to Ok-dramas. No, we aren’t speaking concerning the Korean reveals however her dailies, which, for numerological causes, began with the letter Ok. Starting from Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, the producer has iconic reveals like Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kahiin Toh Hoga, Kaahin Kissii Roz and extra lately chartbusters like Kundali Bhagya, Naagin, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein to her credit score. She not solely gave the viewers a plethora of content material to devour but in addition turned the epitome of success others would attempt to emulate.
The stars have been aligned
A couple of years earlier than Ekta struck gold on Star Plus together with her repertoire of reveals, the channel was in a three way partnership with Zee to air a mixture of Hindi and English reveals. The hybrid programming was a non-starter and the channel might by no means pose a severe competitors to the opposite main gamers, Zee TV or Sony TV. In 2009, because the partnership got here to an finish, and Sameer Nair took the lead of a brand new workforce. Ekta Kapoor had already produced Hum Paanch and did a cleaning soap in Tamil Nadu however she wasn’t getting an opportunity to make a cleaning soap as most boxed her as a profitable ‘comedy’ producer in Hindi market.
“Towards the end of 1999, Ekta and Jeetendra came to meet me to discuss Kyunki, and honestly, I just fell in love with the idea the moment she narrated it to me. We decided to do a daily at prime time, which I think was the killer act,” remembered Sameer Nair, whereas speaking to indianexpress.com. Interestingly, the workforce was additionally secretly engaged on a biggie — Kaun Banega Crorepati with Amitabh Bachchan. Both these iconic reveals launched on the identical day, July 3, 2000, and adjusted the sport for Star Plus, and tv as an entire.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi workforce on KBC set. (Photo: Express Archive)
The media skilled revealed that the workforce was initially a bit startled after they noticed Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. However, they determined to go along with it with out even any suggestions. “It had a very different cinematic language and Star, which had quite a westernised approach, had not done something like this. It was a hardcore desi format and I told the team, let’s not meddle with it. We did not want to compare it with our earlier programming. Hence, the show went on air without any channel feedback and comment. And what a run it had,” he shared with a smile.
Sameer Nair mentioned that dailies being on prime time slightly than afternoon slot additionally did the trick. Given the success Kyunki delivered to the channel, they labored quickly with Ekta Kapoor, “In three months we launched Kahani and in another three months Kasautii Zindagii Kay was greenlighted.” The whole prime time was stuffed up and KBC was shouldered on either side by these soaps, which collectively created magic, making the channel an undisputed chief. “Amitabh Bachchan opened the gate of the fortress and Ekta joined in. Together they both have been a significant contributor to Star’s journey,” added Nair, who’s at present serving as CEO of Applause Entertainment Limited.
Ekta Kapoor on the set of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. (Photo: Express Archive)
He added that everybody tried to aim the identical format and even after 21 years, he sees the identical development. “2000 was the arrival of razzmatazz, big reality shows like KBC and daily soaps being on prime time. And right now, it’s the same thing. The year was a landmark and changed how TV operated in India, and it continues to be the same. I think everything just aligned for us to do what happened back then,” shared Sameer Nair.
Having labored with Ekta Kapoor because the Balaji group CEO, he concluded by saying that she continues to dominate the business making some nice reveals. Also having tasted success in movies and OTT house, for Sameer Nair, “she has only grown strength to strength as a creative and media professional.”
Ekta is aware of the heart beat of the viewers
One of her collaborators from the early years, actor Hiten Tejwani shared that Ekta Kapoor managed to create magic together with her reveals as a result of she understood what the viewers wished. “She trusted her artists and they just delivered,” he mentioned, including that Ekta has a sixth sense in terms of selecting the best expertise to play the half.
Stating that he too believes they have been destined to be part of this revolution, Hiten Tejwani added that he feels they ‘were at the right place, at the right time’. He mentioned, “Television was evolving, people were getting hooked to dailies, and that’s how we all made our own careers. Thanks to her, I got to play some lovely characters, which are still remembered by people. The whole idea of creating something is that more people see it, and she aced it with her knowledge and the talent to understand viewers so well.”
Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan in a nonetheless from Kutumb. (Photo: Express Archive)
While Hiten was doing character roles in Ghar Ek Mandir, Kabhi Sautan Kabhi Saheli and Kaahiin Kissii Roz, he was requested to shoot the pilot for Kutumb. “The channel (Sony TV) immediately approved it and Ekta called me that we were ready to go on air. There was just no looking back for me then.” The actor added that he too trusted her imaginative and prescient and would go to shoot for her tasks with out many questions. “Even when Kutumb was set to end, she called me and said that I have to report on Kyunki set the next day to play Karan. She said I would get more details on the set. That’s the kind of equation we shared and I don’t think that time will ever come back.”
Post Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Hiten has been a part of Balaji Telefilms’ reveals like Pavitra Rishta, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, KKoi Dil Mein Hai, Kkavyanjali, Karam Apnaa Apnaa, and Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi.
Way forward of her time
“Today we talk about writers’ room, but Balaji had set up a writers’ apartment years back, and even paid for them to learn,” shared Sharad Chandrta Tripathi. The author was picked in 2005 by means of a nationwide contest by the manufacturing home the place 50 younger folks have been chosen after which educated to develop into script writers. The ‘Lucky 50’ have been grilled and polished to develop into the most effective within the enterprise. The contest was run for 4 successive years, serving to the business discover near 100 artistic minds, which incorporates folks like Bandana Tiwari, Vinod Sharma and Sumit Arora amongst extra.
Tripathi feels that Ekta at all times understood the significance of excellent content material and writing. “Back then, we did not know of OTT or international shows, she got us introduced to the DVD culture. It was because of her we got to see some of the best international shows. She always pushed us to consume content from different countries as that could help us better ourselves. She has always been way ahead of her times,” shared the favored TV author. He added that Balaji has at all times supported writers and given newbies an opportunity. “Ekta was not just a risk taker but also changed the recruitment process. She helped people find a career and passion in life.”

And not simply folks behind the digital camera, for the author, the producer additionally didn’t shrink back from giving new faces an opportunity. He talked about that even in the present day, channels and streaming platforms are obsessive about large names. “She had full faith in her content and made stars out of new faces. In her own undertaking, Zee TV was not keen to have Sushant Singh Rajput as the hero of Pavitra Rishta but she had conviction and fought for him. And look at how the show flew off. That’s what you call a vision,” shared Sharad Chandra Tripathi.
As Ekta Kapoor turns 46 in the present day, we will’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve subsequent.