Producer has spoken about what she perceives as a bias against Hindu traditions and mythology in the entertainment industry, saying that openly expressing religious beliefs can invite judgement, even when other cultural practices are widely accepted.
Did Ektaa Kapoor Call Bollywood Hinduphobic?
During a conversation with on his podcast, Ektaa discussed what she described as ‘Hinduphobia’ and the hesitation surrounding Indian folklore and mythology. She said, “Numbers are great for the film. What is really important is it deals with folklore. I’m just gonna say it on camera, Hinduphobia, and we have so much of phobia with what do we call… We’re okay with animated animation, but we’re not okay with discussing folklore and mythology.”
© Instagram/Ektaa Kapoor
She further added, “So I’m so okay with bringing it all out and having people accept it. There’s so much more acceptance now.”
Ektaa also recalled facing ridicule when she was younger for wearing a tika and dhaaga, describing how difficult it could feel to display her religious identity openly. “I can’t even tell you. Wearing a tika and wearing your, your religion on your sleeve is such a problem,” she said.
The producer also recounted an incident when she went directly to a club after visiting a mandir. She remembered people reacting with surprise and asking, “Did you go to a mandir?” Ektaa said she simply replied, “Yeah,” before questioning their reaction: “What’s so shocking?”
Ekta Kapoor calling out the deep-rooted Hinduphobia in the industry on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast hits hard.
She revealed how people used to judge and mock her just for wearing a teeka and a dhaaga even calling her a freak and labeling her a tantrik.
People in the industry are completely fine celebrating western animation and fantasy, but the moment Indian folklore, culture, or faith is brought up, the bias immediately creeps in.
She even recalled walking into a club straight from a mandir and people being genuinely shocked that someone could unapologetically embrace both.
Unapologetically wearing your faith on your sleeve shouldn’t trigger anyone yet it still does. Glad she addressed it out loud on camera.
Her remarks highlight the assumptions she believes persist around religious devotion and modern lifestyles, suggesting that the two should not be treated as mutually exclusive.
About The Vvaan
On the work front, Ektaa Kapoor recently produced The Vvaan.
Helmed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, with Anup Soni, Sunil Grover, Shweta Tiwari and Maniesh Paul in supporting roles.
Combining fantasy, supernatural themes and folklore, the film unfolds around a forbidden forest and takes inspiration from legends linked to the Maa Van Devi Temple near Bihta in Bihar’s Patna district.
The film hit theatres on September 25 and has attracted attention for its premise, although early reviews have been mixed. It turned out to be a moderate success, collecting close to Rs 50 crore in India, prominently from Tier 2 and 3 cities in Bihar and UP.