Ekta Kapoor
| |
| Ekta Kapoor | |
| Born | 07 June 1975 (age 50) Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Mithibai College, Mumbai |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Television Producer, Film Producer |
| Years active | 1995 – Present |
| Known for | Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Naagin, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, The Dirty Picture |
| Notable works | |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2020), International Emmy Directorate Award (2023) |
| Spouse(s) | Unmarried |
| Parents | Jeetendra (father), Shobha Kapoor (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | |
Ekta Kapoor is an Indian television and film producer, best known for revolutionizing Hindi television and producing several popular Bollywood films. She is the founder and Joint Managing Director of Balaji Telefilms Limited, and also heads its subsidiaries Balaji Motion Pictures and ALTBalaji.
Early life & Education
Ekta Kapoor was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India, to veteran actor Jeetendra and producer Shobha Kapoor. She completed her education at Mithibai College, Mumbai. Her brother, Tusshar Kapoor, is also a Bollywood actor.
Career
Ekta Kapoor began her career at the age of 17, joining the entertainment industry under her parents’ guidance. She founded Balaji Telefilms in 1994, and soon became famous for producing Hindi television dramas that dominated Indian TV during the late 1990s and 2000s.
Her first major hit was Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000) on StarPlus, followed by Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000) and Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001). These shows made her the "Queen of Indian Television".
In 2001, she launched Balaji Motion Pictures, expanding into films. Some of her notable productions include The Dirty Picture (2011), Lootera (2013), Main Tera Hero (2014), Dream Girl (2019), Crew (2024), and The Sabarmati Report (2025).
She also launched ALTBalaji, a digital streaming platform, in 2017, marking her entry into OTT content creation. However, in 2025, the Government of India banned ALTBalaji due to obscene and vulgar content.
In television, she continues to produce successful series like the long-running Naagin franchise. The seventh season, Naagin 7, is scheduled for release in November 2025.
Other ventures
In 2012, Ekta Kapoor founded the Institute of Creative Excellence (ICE), a media training school under Balaji Telefilms. She has also authored her biography titled Kingdom of the Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms (2017).
Awards and Recognition
Ekta Kapoor has received numerous honors for her contribution to television, cinema, and digital media.
- Padma Shri (2020) – India’s fourth-highest civilian award for her contribution to arts.
- International Emmy Directorate Award (2023) – For her outstanding impact on global entertainment.
- Indian Television Academy Awards (2017) – Sterling Icon of Entertainment.
- Business Today (2018) – Most Powerful Woman in Indian Business.
- FICCI Ladies Organisation (2018) – Icon of the Year.
- Forbes Tycoon of Tomorrow (2018) – Icon of Excellence.
- ET Business Awards (2019) – Content Creator of the Year.
- Hindustan Times (2019) – Business Icon of the Continent.
She has also been listed among India’s Top 25 Women Entrepreneurs and Asia’s Most Powerful Communicators.
Recent and upcoming projects
Ekta Kapoor’s upcoming film projects include Vrusshabha (starring Mohanlal), Bhoot Bangla (featuring Akshay Kumar), and Vvan (with Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia). Her most awaited television release is Naagin 7 (2025).