# Ekta Kapoor

Ekta Kapoor (born 7 June 1975) is an Indian film and television producer and director who works in Hindi cinema and soap operas. She is the joint managing director and creative head of Balaji Telefilms Limited, which was founded in 1994. In 2001, Balaji Motion Pictures was launched as a subsidiary company of Balaji Telefilms Limited, which is a film production and distribution company. In April 2017, she launched ALTBalaji, a video on demand platform.
In 2017, Kapoor also launched her biography, Kingdom of the Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms.
Kapoor was honored with the Padma Shri in 2020 for her work in the field of arts.
She is also honored with the 2023 International Emmy Directorate Award at the 51st International Emmy Awards.

## Personal life

Kapoor is the daughter of actors Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor. Her younger brother, Tusshar Kapoor, is also a Bollywood actor.
She went to school at Bombay Scottish School, Mahim and attended college at Mithibai College.
Kapoor is not married but she has a son named Ravie Kapoor, who was born on 27 January 2019 by surrogacy.

## Career

Ekta kapoor started her career at the age of 17, interning with advertisement and feature filmmaker Kailash Surendranath. After obtaining financing from her father, she was a producer under her banner, Balaji Telefilms. Her initial projects were failures, with six of her pilot episodes being rejected, leading to a total loss of ₹50 lakh (equivalent to ₹2.0 crore or US$230,000 in 2023). In 1995, Mano Ya Na Mano was selected by Zee TV, and her music-based show Dhun Dhamaka was chosen by Doordarshan. Her 1995 sitcom, Hum Paanch was her first success.
In the 2000s, the letter 'K' became her lucky alphabet, and she launched many shows with the first word of every title starting with the same letter, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which broke all records to become the series to attract the highest TRPs in 2000. Other shows beginning with 'K' include Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii, Kohi Apna Sa, Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kalash, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kahiin To Hoga and Kasamh Se. In 2001, she was awarded the title of Best Entrepreneur of the Year.
By July 2001, Kapoor was producing more than 30 hours of television shows per week. 20 of her 34 serials were listed as the most popular serials across all major TV channels like Zee TV, Sony, Star Plus, and Metro. Her projected turnover for 2000–2001 was listed as ₹35 crore (equivalent to ₹139 crore or US$16 million in 2023).
After establishing herself in Hindi TV serials, she began venturing into other regional languages, starting with the Tamil series, Kudumbum. The series became very popular, and she then got it dubbed into Telugu and launched it in Hindi as Ghar Ek Mandir. She then ventured into Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Bengali languages. As of 2001, Kapoor wrote her own scripts despite having writers working for her, taking an active interest in all stages of production, while her mother, Shobha, handled the accounts.
Kapoor has thus created and produced more than 130 Indian soap operas. Some of her other popular shows include Pavitra Rishta, Bade Acche Lagte Hain, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Jodha Akbar, Naagin, Kumkum Bhagya, Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki, Kundali Bhagya, Yeh Hai Chahatein and several others that were credited with starting a new wave on Indian television, leading to her being known as the "Czarina of television" and "the Queen of Indian Television".
She ventured into Bollywood movie production in 2001, beginning with Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta, starring Sushmita Sen and Govinda. Kucch To Hai and Krishna Cottage, based on supernatural themes, followed in 2003 and 2004. The 2005 Kyaa Kool Hai Hum featured her brother Tusshar Kapoor. She then went on to co-produce Shootout at Lokhandwala with Sanjay Gupta. This was followed by Mission Istanbul and EMI – Liya Hai Toh Chukana Padhega in collaboration with Sunil Shetty. None of these films were commercial or critical successes.
Between 2010 and 2014, she produced many unsuccessful films, including Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, and Shor in the City.
In 2012, Ekta Kapoor started the Institute of Creative Excellence, a media training school, through her production house, Balaji Telefilms.
Kapoor has also launched a number of TV series online through her digital app ALTBalaji.

## Television works

The following is the list of Television shows produced by Kapoor under her banner Balaji Telefilms. Note: television series in bold are the shows presently on air.
| Year | Title |
| 1995 | Padosan |
| 1995 | Captain House |
| 1995 | Mano Ya Na Mano |
| 1995 | Hum Paanch (season 1) |
| 1996 | Itihaas |
| 1999 | Bandhan |
| 1999 | Kanyadaan |
| 2000 | Kaun |
| 2000 | Kasamm |
| 2000 | Kashti |
| 2000 | Kavita |
| 2000 | Kundali |
| 2000 | Koshish... Ek Aasha |
| 2000 | Ghar Ek Mandir |
| 2000 | Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi |
| 2000 | Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii |
| 2001 | Kuch Khona Hai Kuch Pana Hai |
| 2001 | Kaleerein |
| 2001 | Karam |
| 2001 | Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii |
| 2001 | Kkusum |
| 2001 | Kohi Apna Sa |
| 2001 | Kalash |
| 2001 | Kutumb |
| 2001 | Kaahin Kissii Roz |
| 2001 | Kasautii Zindagii Kay |
| 2002 | Hum Paanch (season 2) |
| 2002 | Kitne Kool Hai Hum |
| 2002 | Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat |
| 2002 | Kuchh Jhuki Palkain |
| 2002 | Kammal |
| 2002 | Kahi To Milenge |
| 2003 | Kahani Terrii Merrii |
| 2003 | Kayaamat |
| 2003 | Kahiin to Hoga |
| 2003 | Kkoi Dil Mein Hai |
| 2004 | Kaarthika |
| 2004 | Kosmiic Chat |
| 2004 | Kalki |
| 2004 | Karma |
| 2004 | Kyaa Kahein |
| 2004 | Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi |
| 2004 | Kkehna Hai Kuch Mujhko |
| 2004 | K. Street Pali Hill |
| 2004 | Kesar |
| 2005 | Hum Paanch Tadka Mar Ke |
| 2005 | Kkavyanjali |
| 2005 | Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai |
| 2006 | Kandy Floss |
| 2006 | Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa |
| 2006 | Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan |
| 2006 | Kasamh Se |
| 2006 | Karam Apnaa Apnaa |
| 2007 | Kahe Naa Kahe |
| 2007 | Khwaish |
| 2007 | Kuchh Is Tara |
| 2007 | Kayamath |
| 2007 | Kasturi |
| 2007 | Kya Dill Mein Hai |
| 2008 | Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket |
| 2008 | Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki |
| 2008 | Kabhi Kabhii Pyaar Kabhi Kabhii Yaar |
| 2008 | Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil |
| 2008 | Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna |
| 2009 | Koi Aane Ko Hai |
| 2009 | Kitani Mohabbat Hai (season 1) |
| 2009 | Bandini |
| 2009 | Bairi Piya |
| 2009 | Bayttaab Dil Kee Tamanna Hai |
| 2009 | Pyaar Ka Bandhan |
| 2009 | Pavitra Rishta |
| 2010 | Sarvggun Sampanna |
| 2010 | Keshav Pandit |
| 2010 | Tere Liye |
| 2010 | Kitani Mohabbat Hai (season 2) |
| 2010 | Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani |
| 2011 | Parichay – Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka |
| 2011 | Bade Achhe Lagte Hain |
| 2012 | Kya Huaa Tera Vaada |
| 2012 | Gumrah: End of Innocence |
| 2012 | Gumrah (season 2) |
| 2012 | V The Serial |
| 2013 | Confessions of an Indian Teenager |
| 2013 | Ek Thhi Naayka |
| 2013 | Savdhaan India |
| 2013 | Gumrah (season 3) |
| 2013 | MTV Webbed (season 1) |
| 2013 | Jodha Akbar |
| 2013 | Pavitra Bandhan |
| 2013 | Ye Hai Mohabbatein |
| 2014 | MTV Webbed (season 2) |
| 2014 | Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi |
| 2014 | Kumkum Bhagya |
| 2014 | Gumrah (season 4) |
| 2014 | Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai |
| 2014 | Box Cricket League (season 1) |
| 2014 | Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye |
| 2014 | Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar |
| 2015 | Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki |
| 2015 | Kalash – Ek Vishwaas |
| 2015 | Nach Baliye 7 |
| 2015 | Gumrah (season 5) |
| 2015 | Kuch Toh Hai Tere Mere Darmiyaan |
| 2015 | Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do |
| 2015 | Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum |
| 2015 | Naagin (season 1) |
| 2016 | Box Cricket League (season 2) |
| 2016 | Mazaak Mazaak Mein |
| 2016 | Kavach...Kaali Shaktiyon Se |
| 2016 | Brahmarakshas – Jaag Utha Shaitaan |
| 2016 | Naagin (season 2) |
| 2016 | Pardes Mein Hai Meraa Dil |
| 2016 | Chandra Nandini |
| 2017 | Dhhai Kilo Prem |
| 2017 | Kundali Bhagya |
| 2017 | Chandrakanta – Ek Mayavi Prem Gaatha |
| 2017 | Box Cricket League (season 3) |
| 2018 | Naagin (season 3) |
| 2018 | Dil Hi Toh Hai |
| 2018 | Qayamat Ki Raat |
| 2018 | Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2 |
| 2018 | Daayan |
| 2019 | Kavach (season 2) |
| 2019 | Bepanah Pyaar |
| 2019 | Haivaan – The Monster |
| 2019 | Naagin (season 4) |
| 2019 | Yeh Hai Chahatein |
| 2020 | Pavitra Bhagya |
| 2020 | Naagin (season 5) |
| 2020 | Molkki |
| 2020 | Brahmarakshas 2 |
| 2020 | Prem Bandhan |
| 2021 | Bhagya Lakshmi |
| 2021 | Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 |
| 2022 | Naagin (season 6) |
| 2022 | Parineetii |
| 2022 | Appnapan – Badalte Rishton Ka Bandhan |
| 2022 | Yeh Dil Mannge More |
| 2022 | Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharampatnii |
| 2023 | Molkki - Rishton Ki Agnipariksha |
| 2023 | Bekaboo |
| 2023 | Barsatein - Mausam Pyaar Ka |
| 2024 | Pracchand Ashok |
| 2024 | Chahenge Tumhe Itna |

## Film produced

The following is the list of motion pictures produced by Kapoor under her banner Balaji Motion Pictures.
| Year | Title |
| 2001 | Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta |
| 2003 | Kucch To Hai |
| 2004 | Krishna Cottage |
| 2005 | Kyaa Kool Hai Hum |
| 2005 | Koi Aap Sa |
| 2007 | Shootout at Lokhandwala |
| 2008 | Mission Istanbul |
| 2008 | C Kkompany |
| 2008 | EMI – Liya Hai Toh Chukana Parega |
| 2010 | Love Sex Aur Dhokha |
| 2010 | Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai |
| 2011 | Taryanche Bait |
| 2011 | Shor in the City |
| 2011 | Ragini MMS |
| 2011 | The Dirty Picture |
| 2012 | Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum |
| 2013 | Ek Thi Daayan |
| 2013 | Shootout at Wadala |
| 2013 | Lootera |
| 2013 | Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobara |
| 2014 | Shaadi Ke Side Effects |
| 2014 | Ragini MMS 2 |
| 2014 | Main Tera Hero |
| 2014 | Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi |
| 2014 | Ek Villain |
| 2016 | Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 |
| 2016 | Azhar |
| 2016 | Udta Punjab |
| 2016 | Great Grand Masti |
| 2016 | A Flying Jatt |
| 2017 | Half Girlfriend |
| 2017 | Super Singh |
| 2018 | Veere Di Wedding |
| 2018 | Laila Majnu |
| 2019 | Judgementall Hai Kya |
| 2019 | Jabariya Jodi |
| 2019 | Dream Girl |
| 2020 | Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare |
| 2021 | Pagglait |
| 2022 | Ek Villain Returns |
| 2022 | Dobaaraa |
| 2022 | Goodbye |
| 2022 | Freddy |
| 2023 | U-Turn (2023 film) |
| 2023 | Kathal |
| 2023 | The Buckingham Murders |
| Dream Girl 2 | |
| Thank You for Coming | |
| 2024 | Crew |
| 2024 | Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video |
| Binny And Family | |
| The Sabarmati Report | |
| Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 | |

### Web series

The following is the list of web series created/developed/produced by Kapoor under her banner ALT Digital Media Entertainment for her video on demand platform ALT Balaji.
| Year(s) | Title |
| 2017 | Maya Thirrai |
| 2017 | Romil & Jugal |
| 2017 | Bewafaa sii Wafaa |
| 2017 | Boygiri |
| 2017 | Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat |
| 2017 | Dev DD |
| 2017–2018 | The Test Case |
| 2017 | Class of 2017 |
| 2020 | Class of 2020 |
| 2017 | CyberSquad |
| 2017–2019 | Pammi Aunty |
| 2017–2019 | Ragini MMS: Returns |
| 2017 | Bose: Dead/Alive |
| 2017 | Dhimaner Dinkaal |
| 2018 | Fourplay |
| 2018 | Haq Se |
| 2018 | Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain |
| 2018 | PM Selfiewallie |
| 2018 | Galti Se Mis-Tech |
| 2018 | Gandii Baat |
| 2018 | Hum - I'm Because of Us |
| 2018 | Home |
| 2018 | XXX |
| 2019–2020 | Baarish |
| 2018 | Broken But Beautiful |
| 2019 | BOSS: Baap of Special Services |
| 2020 | Bebaakee |
| 2020 | Bichhoo Ka Khel |
| 2021 | Bang Baang |
| 2021 | Crashh |
| 2021 | The Married Woman |
| 2021 | His Story |
| 2021 | Mai Hero Boll Raha Hu |
| 2022 | Lock Upp |
| 2022 | A Cold Mess |
| 2024 | Dus June ki Raat - Chapter 1 |

## Accolades

Kapoor also works on script writing, creative conversion and concept building. Having been chosen as one of 50 of ‘Asia's Most Powerful Communicators’ by Asia Week magazine in 2001, she has helped launch the careers of many actors and actresses.
She was chosen to lead the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) entertainment committee. The other awards she received are; The Society Achiever Award and The Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2001.
Kapoor is regarded as one of the most powerful ladies in the television industry and is amongst the top 25 woman entrepreneurs of India.
She was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, in 2020 for her work in the field of arts.
Kapoor has also received awards as the producer of Balaji Telefilms. These include the Indian Television Academy Awards, Indian Telly Awards, Kalakar Awards, Asian Television Awards, Apsara Awards, Zee Rishtay Awards, 3rd Boroplus Awards, New Talent Awards, BIG Star Entertainment Awards, 4th Boroplus Awards, GR8! Women Awards, Asia's Social Empowerment Awards, Lions Gold Awards, Stardust Awards, Screen Awards, Pune International Film Festival, Zee Gaurav Puraskar, National Media Network Film and TV Awards, the Global Indian Film and TV Honors, and ETC Bollywood Business Awards.
The following is the recent list of awards received by Kapoor:
| Year | Award | Category |
| 2017 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Sterling Icon of Entertainment |
| 2018 | Business Today | Most Powerful Woman in Indian Business |
| 2018 | FICCI Ladies Organisation | Icon of the Year |
| 2018 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Highest rated Show on TV – Naagin (season 3) |
| 2018 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Premiere Web Channel of the Year – ALTBalaji |
| 2018 | Jagran Cinema Summit Awards | Icon of Entertainment |
| 2018 | Forbes Tycoon of Tomorrow | Icon of Excellence |
| 2018 | Outlook India Speakout Awards | Woman Achiever of the Year |
| 2019 | Hindustan Times Business Awards | Business Icon of Continent |
| 2019 | ET Business Awards | Content Creator of the Year |
| 2019 | Business Today | Most Powerful Woman in Indian Business |
| 2019 | Businessworld | BW Most Influential Woman of India |
| 2019 | Hindustan Times | HT Most Stylish Film Maker of the Year |
| 2019 | Fortune India Awards | Most Powerful Business Women of the Year |
| 2020 | Padma Shri | India's fourth highest civilian honour in the field of Arts, from the Government of India |
| 2023 | 51st International Emmy Awards | International Emmy Directorate Award |