Ekta Kapoor

Ekta R. Kapoor (born 7 June 1975) is an Indian television and film producer, known for her work in Hindi television and Bollywood cinema. She is the founder of Balaji Telefilms Limited, where she serves as joint managing director and creative head.

Kapoor began her career at the age of 17 and became known for producing a large number of television soap operas in Hindi, many of which gained significant popularity during the late 1990s and 2000s. Her biggest success came in 2000 with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on StarPlus which had the highest TRP for an Indian serial with 22.4 and was the most successful serial at its time. She followed it with Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000) and Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001) to become the Queen of Indian television. In 2001, Balaji Motion Pictures was launched and produced several films including The Dirty Picture, Lootera, Main Tera Hero, Dream Girl, Crew, and The Sabarmati Report.

In April 2017, she launched ALTBalaji, a video on demand platform. In 2025, this app was banned by the Government of India on OTT Platforms for over obscene and vulgar content. In 2017, Kapoor also launched her biography, Kingdom of the Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms.

Kapoor was honored with the Padma Shri in 2020 for her work in the field of arts.

Personal life

Kapoor is the daughter of actors Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor. Her younger brother, Tusshar Kapoor, is also a Bollywood actor.

She went to school at Bombay Scottish School, Mahim and attended college at Mithibai College.

Kapoor is not married but she has a son who was born on 27 January 2019 by surrogacy. She had previously frozen her eggs at the age of 36 and later used in vitro fertilization (IVF) as part of the surrogacy process.

Beliefs During the early 2000s, Ekta Kapoor produced several Hindi television dramas, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which received high viewership. Around the same time, she produced a number of other series with titles beginning with the letter "K," such as Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay. Kapoor has mentioned in interviews that this naming trend was influenced by her belief in astrology, particularly the significance of certain letters. Kapoor has also spoken about her spiritual beliefs, identifying as Hindu and describing herself as more spiritual than religious.

Career Ekta Kapoor started her career at the age of 17, interning with advertisement and feature filmmaker Kailash Surendranath. After obtaining financing from her father, she was a producer under her banner, Balaji Telefilms. Her initial projects were failures, with six of her pilot episodes being rejected, leading to a total loss of . In 1995, Mano Ya Na Mano was selected by Zee TV, and her music-based show Dhun Dhamaka was chosen by Doordarshan. Her 1995 sitcom, Hum Paanch was her first success.

In the 2000s, the letter 'K' became her lucky alphabet, and she launched many shows with the first word of every title starting with the same letter, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which broke all records to become the series to attract the highest TRPs in 2000. Other shows beginning with 'K' include Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii, Kohi Apna Sa, Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kalash, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kahiin To Hoga, and Kasamh Se. In 2001, she was awarded the title of Best Entrepreneur of the Year.

She ventured into Bollywood movie production in 2001, beginning with Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta, starring Sushmita Sen and Govinda. a media training school, through her production house, Balaji Telefilms.

In 2026, Kapoor produced Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, the second season of the reality television series Lock Upp. The season streamed on Netflix and was hosted by Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh as jailers. Shreya Kalra emerged as the winner of the season, receiving a cash prize of ₹1 crore.

Filmography Television

Film

Accolades

Kapoor also works on scriptwriting, creative conversion, and concept building. Having been chosen as one of 50 of ‘Asia's Most Powerful Communicators’ by Asia Week magazine in 2001, she has helped launch the careers of many actors and actresses.

She was chosen to lead the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) entertainment committee. The other awards she received are; The Society Achiever Award and The Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2001.

She was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honor, in 2020 for her work in the field of arts.

Hindustan Times Business Awards Business Icon of Continent

2023 51st International Emmy Awards International Emmy Directorate Award