I am depressed that I am 32 today. It’s just a mindset that I am at the top. I have been working non-stop for the past seven years and it’s only last year that I got back my life. But yes, the higher you go in life, the more insecurity becomes your constant companion. I have no choice but to work harder.
Your soaps have bizarre gimmicks. Do you laugh at them too?
Yes, I do believe that entertainment is all about tuning in with your imagination. And television is entertainment.
It’s said you are going from entertainment to reality shows?
Yes, in a joint venture with Sanjay Gupta. It’s an original concept, combining television, films and reality shows. I believe success B I R E k t a r TA comes from moving away from your comfort zone. This year I want to make a mark in television again, but moving away from soaps. I want to explore all genres of TV. I will do shows that are not my forte.
Are you vindictive with your ‘discoveries’ when they leave you?
Oh wow! I love this. I feel like Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.
But jokes aside, my philosophy is simple. Respect the company and it’s contribution to your growth. I don’t easily encourage people who have betrayed me to come back. I value loyalty. It’s a two-way process. As far as Iqbal Khan’s issue goes, it’s not me who asked Star TV not to work with him. It was a joint decision taken by Star and my company. Anyway, it’s sorted out and I gave Iqbal my go ahead.
Where does love and marriage fit in your busy life?
Honestly, nowhere. I was in love three times in the past. Now... well, I am not talking about it. Now my focus is work, and when the time comes, I will get married. It’s very difficult to find somebody who’ll marry me. My personality and my famous temper will be a huge deterrent.
On Karan Johar’s show, you said you wanted to marry Mukesh Ambani?
Somebody like him. I met him once and I was bowled over by his unassuming demeanour.
Says Ekta Kapoor about her future prospects for reel and real life
Ekta Kapoor |
Your Kandy Floss is soon to be aired.
I'm having so much fun doing non-fiction. I've done non-fiction programme before - Cosmic Chat with Sunita Menon. But I'm apprehensive about this one because it will look at the lives of television stars. I hope I'm not torn to shreds. If people speak honestly on camera, I won't edit it. I've instructed my team not to ask lewd questions or hit below the belt. When they asked me if they can take pot-shots at me, I told them, 'Fine. But I might hate you for that.'
Do you feel television allows you to be as adventurous as cinema?
Not at all. The target audience on TV doesn't allow you to experiment. When I do something regular they're angry. But when I do something different I don't get their attention. So what do I do? Iqbal can be done for cinema. But not for television. In spite of all the criticism the top three soaps remain my Kasauti Zindagi Kay, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
What do you think of Saloni?
Oh, I like it very much. It's a nice conventional commercial show. At the end of the day, the audience does not want to move away from the standard theme and format. I do feel that I am stagnanting at times. But at the end of the day I love my work. I love my shows. For me they aren't something I do for a few hours. They're my life. I'm very attached to my characters in the soaps. But I do want to attempt a different entertainment.
Your Kkasam Se isn't doing well?
What are you saying? In just three weeks the TRPs are at a 2.4 average. It's my other serial Hum Paanch that isn't doing well. As for Hum Paanch, times have changed. We shouldn't have brought it back again. The viewer-profile has changed.
How do you react to the criticism?
My father always says, dogs bark when an elephant walks. I hate calling myself an elephant. But what to do? I do my work and go home. I've five friends who i can be myself with. People can call my soaps regressive and monotonous . I've only one thing to say to them. 'Dude, they aren't affecting the TRPs. It just seems like a lot of idle malicious talk.'
Are you producing films?
Yes , plenty. I'll start with a small film directed by Satish Kaushik featuring Tusshar and maybe Ayesha Takia. Then there're projects with Neeraj Vora, Rohit Shetty, Abbas-Mustan and Anees Bazmi. I also want to start small niche films with independent directors. But my role model in filmmaking is Sanjay Leela Bhansali because he has always done what he wants to do, and done it so magnificently. He wants me to make a serial without a 'k' in it. I will, just for him. I went mad after seeing Devdas. No one can touch him.
Any plans of marriage?
My friends and I are going to Delhi to look for some eligible boys. Can't seem to find one for myself in Mumbai. My temper tantrums are too well- known here. I'm trying to sober down as much as possible.
The producer takes legal action after the actress defects to the Rajshri camp
On the warpath: Ekta Kapoor |
Actors falling out with their directors and producers is not new in the industry. The two have always had a love-hate relationship. The best example of this is Balaji head honcho Ekta Kapoor's friendships and tiffs with the various actors of her shows. Despite parting ways with actors Rajeev Khandelwal and Amar Upadhayay, producer Ekta Kapoor's angst never reached a point where she had to seek legal help.
But this time actress Barkha Bisht managed to upset television industry's most influential woman. It all started when Barkha walked out of Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka at the eleventh hour. The actress was to play the second lead in the show and had even shot for six episodes till she chanced upon an offer that she thought was better than any other role she had played in the past.
“I launched that girl in the MTV show Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi; later she even did Kasauti Zindagi Kay and Kavyanjali. Since she insisted that I give her an important role, I gave her a good role in Nimmo…,” Ekta defends her stance. But Barkha deserted her mentor and fled for greener pastures at the first opportunity. “After having shot for a few episodes, the girl called to inform me that she would not be shooting for Nimmo… anymore. She quit the show without giving any prior notice.”
Apparently, Barkha failed to mention to Ekta that she had been offered the lead role in Rajshri's show for Star Plus's Pyar Ke Do Naam, Ek Radha Ek Shyaam. “Replacing actors is something I am used to. In a daily soap, it happens all the time. But in this case I lost a lot of money because of that girl's unprofessional behaviour. I decided to sue her because I didn't want her to set a bad example for other actors. My lawyers are looking into the matter very seriously,” says the miffed Ekta.
We spoke to Barkha, who sounded reluctant to talk about the incident. “Look, I was getting to play the lead in a Rajshri show and I did not want to miss out on the opportunity. In the past I was only doing two-bit roles but this was my big chance. Contrary to Ekta's allegation, I did speak to her about this. I could've continued to do Kavyanjali and Kasauti… along with Pyar Ke… But I guess, like other Balaji actors Ekta didn't want me to work with a different production house. She told me that I could either do the K-shows or the Rajshri show. It was my call and I decided to go by my instincts. I believe Ekta is upset but she has to understand that she can't stop people from growing professionally,” insists Barkha.
About being sued by Balaji she says, “My production house (Rajshri) and my lawyers are helping me out with this. I'm not completely aware of the nuances of the matter. Also I don't know what to say. Is Ekta too upset?” she asks. Due to Barkha's unprofessional attitude, Nimmo… got delayed by three months. Above all the production house had to re-shoot certain portions that earlier had Barkha in them. The Kapoor camp claim that the actress's defection has cost Balaji lakhs of rupees.
|
|
