Ektaa Kaopoor is one of the top producers and directors today but the person who helped her get the first show was someone none of us would have thought.
In a recent interview Ektaa opened up about a pivotal moment early in her life when Rajinikanth visited her home. She revealed that she got a break because of the legendary actor. Noticing that she seemed low, he asked her what was bothering her.
Rajinikanth Helped Ektaa Kapoor Land Her First Show
She said, “Once Rajinikanth came to my house for lunch. He is good friends with my father. He saw I was upset. When he asked me what I wanted to do, I said, ‘I just want to work.’ I was upset because I didn’t have work. He liked it. He then said, ‘Fine, I can help you arrange a meeting with someone, not anything more than that,'”
She then revealed that after that meeting, Rajinikanth connected her with Kalanidhi, the granddaughter of M. Karunanidhi. Also, he gave her a non-prime-time South Indian show. However, they questioned how a North Indian would be able to handle a South Indian show. “We had to buy slots. We wrote the show in Hindi, sent my team to shoot with local actors, and it became the number one show.” She then used its TRPs as proof and started getting opportunities in Hindi television.
Ektaa Kapoor’s Career
Building on that success, she later adapted the same concept into Hindi as Ghar Ek Mandir, which helped her gain a foothold in the industry. Her big breakthrough came when she pitched Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to Star Plus, a show that would go on to redefine Indian TV and cement her legacy. Despite her entry point being facilitated by her father Jeetendra’s friendship with Rajinikanth, Ektaa dismissed any notions of nepotism, calling it “non-existent.”
Kapoor is now known as the “Queen of Indian Television.” As the creative head of Balaji Telefilms, she revolutionized Indian TV with hit soap operas like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and Naagin. She also produces movies and digital content via ALTBalaji.