Film and television producer Ektaa Kapoor, who is often credited for changing the face of Indian television with her family dramas, is celebrating the 23 years of her hit show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The daily soap, led by now union minister, Smriti Irani, went on air on July 3, 2000. It ran on television for eight years.
In a latest Instagram post, Ektaa revealed how the famous astrologer Pandit Janardhan predicted her success back in 1994. He told her that she will have a show in which the audience will be as invested as they were in Ramayan and Mahabharat on Doordarshan. Pandit Janardhan was recently seen in Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking.
“Year 1994. I’m siting in my frn Shabina’s house n pandit Janardan sees me ( now more popular with indian match making 😃) n tells me I will have my own company I tell him I’m planning to start in august n he says all will b good but wait for ur 25 th year that’s when u will@make a show that ppl will watch like they used to watch Ramayan n Mahabharata on doordrshan ( his exact words) I say I don’t think I can make a mytho so good but let’s see I say,” Ektaa shared.
In the year 2000, Ektaa asked Star Network’s Sameer Nair to give her a show for the Hindi audience. She added, “Year 2000 six years have passed sinceHUM PAANCH n I’m asking Sameer sir @sameern to give me a drama my South Indian drama is doing well n Hindi channel shud see@it he says yes.”
Ektaa recalled casting Smriti Irani for one of her projects but upon watching her audition tape, she was sure she wanted her for something bigger and hence cast her as Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
“Same year mach 2000, I cast a new girl for an important role but on seeing her on tape I tear her contract only to sign as her as a lead on a spring day in March it also happens to b her bday @smritiiraniofficial,” Ekta wrote. Now, in 2023, Ekta said when she looks at her son, she is reminded of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi title song which talks about changing dynamics of relationships.
As she concluded her post, the producer also shared that she will be producing her first pan-Indian film. Minutes later, she shared a picture of herself with her father Jeetendra and superstar Mohanlal and announced producing the pan-Indian film Vrushabha. The film stars Mohanlal in the lead role.
Divulging details of the project, Ektaa wrote, “Balaji Telefilms partners with Connekkt Media and AVS Studios for VRUSHABHA – a Pan India bilingual Telugu Malayalam Film starring megastar Mohanlal. High on emotions and VFX, the film is an Epic Action Entertainer transcending generations. Touted to be one of the biggest films of 2024, VRUSHABHA, directed by Nanda Kishore, goes on floors later this month and will be released simultaneously in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi.”
Ektaa Kapoor’s next production is The Crew starring Kriti Sanon, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu. It is directed by Rajesh Krishnan.