Video: Ektaa Kapoor talks Kyunki, motherhood and National Award win for Kathal

Ektaa Kapoor, Balaji Telefilms founder and producer, recently featured in the India Today Conclave Mumbai, 2025. She spoke at the session titled ‘Queen of Content: Woman Who Shaped Indian Screens'.

Ektaa, reflected on various issues including challenges faced by working mothers, reuniting with Smriti Irani in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' and winning the National Award for 'Kathal'.

While discussing staying relevant in the entertainment industry, the producer said, "We are no longer playing the game of success, we are playing the game of relevance."

Conclave Mumbai Full Coverage 

"How relevant are you in changing times is a question I ask myself all the time. I have to reinvent it, make content that I probably can't make, curate it, work with makers who have a new mindset. It's sometimes extremely humbling. If I do that, if I am anything in the world, I am self-aware," she added.

In the same conversation, Ektaa shared about her long-term association with Smriti Irani and said, "Smriti is anything but not brave. Her actual bravado comes from her never say no attitude."

She also discussed bringing about real issues in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' and stated, "Everyone is pushing their limits. We have tackled various issues and the judgements women are put through."

While speaking about 'Kathal' winning the 71st National Award, she said, "Not in our wildest dreams did we think a dramedy which takes serious potshots at the establishment would actually - be not only nominated but would win from the jury - Best Film Award!"

"I saw it on the Internet. I got a call from (co-producer) Guneet (Monga). I didn't take the call because I was in a meeting with my mother. She sent me a message. I opened my phone, and I was like 'Mother, I think we have won the National Award for 'Kathal'," the producer went on.

"She said, check again, it's not possible. How are you winning? Isn't it a direct-to-digital film? It's gone to Netflix. I said, 'That's also a film'. Chances are that we have. We went and checked, and we had won the National Award! After that, it was euphoria for an hour," Ektaa added.