 |
My man should put me in my place: Ektaa Kapoor
|
You are being criticised for roping in students (teenagers Krystle D'Souza, Abigail) as
protagonists for your soaps.
I myself started working when I was just a 16-year-old. So why would I encourage people to do something wrong?
When people can work in an ad agency at the age of 17, what's wrong in acting? Some do it for the family some do it for fun. Is it a crime to earn for your family?
Will those who object to this, support the families in question? Like everyone has a nostril and an underarm, everyone has an opinion.
Are you making a film on gangster Haji Mastan?
Yes! It will have big stars and a real set up (with Suniel Shetty's Popcorn Entertainment).
We will first seek the necessary permission to make the film on his life or else work on a fiction. We will be looking at a don's life very closely.
Uncannily, those who've moved away from you, haven't been able to make it into films (Amar Upadhyay to Nausheen Ali Sardar).
I wonder why people run after films. Why do they view TV as a ticket to films? It's not that I've the Midas touch.
People, whom I never considered my competitors, have given better shows than mine. It's not about how big your name is, it's about how big your show is.
What is your equation with Smriti Z Iraani?
Smriti has turned a producer. I don't hold a grudge against her. We all have to grow.
And Sandeep Sickand.
Sandeep is somebody, who I've seen grow into a creative head. I've a certain softness for him, which will never go away.
But both of us needed a break from each other. He wants to work on his own and can't work under anybody now. I'm happy for him.
Do you feel hurt when your protégés leave you?
I do feel depressed. But it's a part of life. Henceforth, I'm going to invest only in my mom, my dad and myself.
Meet 'soy' Kudi Ekta Kapoor
She has launched dozens of shows on Star Plus and Zee TV, captivating the hearts of millions of television viewers across the country. Now, it seems the queen of soaps Ekta Kapoor has her eyes set on Sony TV.
Of late, especially after Sandeep Sickand left Sony, the television tycoon has been taking keen interest in making shows for the channel. While Balaji serial "Khwaish" is already on air, sources say about three more shows are in the pipeline.
Buzz is that the sudden shift in focus is because Ekta's top actors like Prachi Desai, Ronit Roy and Jai Bhanushali are participating in "Jhalak Dikhla Ja", in which papa Jeetendra is also a judge.
"With her involvement in the channel's programming, Ekta has already occupied the hot seat, " said a source. But then, why not? Her serial has already pushed up the TRPs of the channel.
Another speculation is that the reason behind her tilt towards Sony is because her serials on Star Plus and Zee are not doing too well these days.
However, a source differs: "Ekta is the queen of soaps. Whatever be the matter, she is enjoying very good TRP for all her shows. It is just that she is spreading her wings and not limiting herself to a few channels."
Ekta finds supporters in her actors and crew as well. Jai Bhanushali, one of the participants in "Jhalak Dikhla Ja" and the lead of "Kayamath", says: "Ekta never stops us from doing anything we want. She told us that if we can manage it then we could go ahead and work with other channels and media houses.
She said we should just see to it that our work does not get affected. Ekta wants her work to be perfect and that's it."
A few months back, when Ekta launched Dhoop, she was asked if it were an alternative to her serials just in case they flop. Her reply was much in the face."Yes, may be you all can consider this as an alternative as my serials are not doing well." Quite a clever businesswoman this. -Anju Gupta
Sandeep Sickand says he is still attached to Balaji Telefilms
Sandeep Sickand is enjoying his new role as the creative head of Sony
Entertainment. But he remains emotionally attached to hisformer employer Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms.
When Sickand left Ekta's production house, it caused a sensation. 'And for what reason?' Sickand asked. 'Honestly it created quite a stir in my mind. Didn't think it'd have the same effect outside.'
At one time, he was determined not to quit Balaji.
'At one time I had been offered a job by Sony and I said no. I just couldn't think of a life outside Balaji. Ekta and Balaji were my family.
'There were always these elements trying to create problems at Balaji when I was there. One gentleman, whom I don't want to name, sent an SMS to Ekta that I had joined Sahara when I was on leave and still editing 'Kkasam Se'.
But Sickand isn't in the blame game.
'It was a painful but inevitable move. Not a day passes when I don't think about Balaji. I'm still in touch with some of my friends at Balaji.'
Mention Ekta, and Sickand's sorrow turns into discernible grief.
'I can't pretend that our rapport isn't ruptured. She didn't expect me to leave, neither did I; but things had come to such a pass that I'd have left Balaji even if I didn't have another job at Sony.'
The lacuna left behind by Sickand at Balaji bothers him.
'But I had no choice! The problem had intensified. Even the son of the house moves away from his parents. I had to do the same. My decisions were being questioned there. Let's not talk about it any more?'
Sickand, who started his career as a garment exporter, says that he is surprised that Sony created a job for him.
'I'm amazed Sony took me on. I've no corporate background. I'm just a creative person. I started my working life as a garment exporter. After that I did some theatre, and then joined Balaji. So, I don't have any corporate image.'
Sickand says that people want him to falter.
'Now, I'm being watched with hawk's eyes just because I'm not a suited-booted corporate guy. People are waiting for me to slip up. Why write my career obituary when I've just started.
'Will Sandeep Sikcand perform? Is he a smuggler and a poacher? Yes, I've been called both because I've smuggled and poached Smriti Irani and Amna Sharif away from Balaji. Nonsense!
'When you move away from an old house, you don't break its walls. I just want to tell everyone to shut up and mind their own business, and let me mind mine.'
About Balaji actors and technicians moving towards Sony after Sickand, the new head honcho explains: 'Maybe people are coming to me because I'm approachable and not intimidating. I like to have fun at work. But the minute anyone says he's coming to me at Balaji's expense, I say sorry. I'd never hurt my parent company.
'Even at Balaji I was the most transparent person around, always available to anyone who wanted to. I'll make mistakes, but new ones. I'm lucky to have fantastic bosses at Balaji and now Sony.'
Sickand's first effort post-Balaji was 'Kajjal'.
'I took over when the show was already planned. I hope I've done a competent job. So far, the feedback has been very positive. Yes, there're technical glitches. I've never claimed to be doing a path-breaking show in 'Kajjal'.
'In fact, I've adhered to the formula that we used at Balaji. Yes, the Mussourrie location and cast are refreshing. But I deliberately chose to tell the story in a way viewers are used to. Let's be honest. Sony needs to get the eyeballs back.'
Then Sickand had the reality TV show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa' which had its finale last month where Mona Singh of 'Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin' won the crown.
Right now he is busy with another realty TV show 'Bigg Boss'.
''Bigg Boss' is a challenge. It's reality soap. After 'Bigg Boss', I've Anuj Saxena's production about a girl searching for love who gets widowed instead. There's also Smriti Irani's new show 'Viruddh' coming up in January.'
Apart from them, Sickand is working on Tony and Deya Singh's 'Jeeta Hain Jiske Liye'.
'Renuka Shahane will make a comeback with this. This show didn't need a girl, it needed a woman. You know, I always wanted to work with Renuka at Balaji. As creative head there I had called her up twice. I think all the things that I couldn't do at Balaji are being done now.'
|
