On her own terms

There is many a star child who has tried to follow in his or her parents footsteps, but few have shone as bright or as long as their parents have. Fewer still have made a distinct mark for themselves or have been called individuals in their own right. Most have fizzled out as soon as their 15 minutes of fame were up. Among the few who have made a mark for themselves are Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, Karishma Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan and Ekta Kapoor, daughter of filmstar Jeetendra. In an industry in which most parents are trying to launch their sons and daughters as stars, it comes as a surprise that a girl takes a plunge into production.

Here, Jeetendra and Ekta Kapoor talk to indias-best about the success of their production house Balaji Telefilms.

"Twenty five and successful, that is not something everyone can handle," says Ekta, producer of television serials like Hum Paanch, Kanyadaan, Koshish and many others. At present more than 20 of her serials are on air. The company has also come out with a share issue. " Nobody likes anybody else's success, People always try to find fault with your work or try to put you down. With me the criticism goes the extra mile as I happen to be Jeetendra's daughter." she adds.

Ekta points out that she was born into a star family, and didn't marry into one- and that is her identity with regard to 'connections.' She also says that when she started her career at 18 there were advantages as well as disadvantages. While she had finances at her disposal , there were also people out to take her for a ride as she was impressionable. With no formal training in production, she learnt through experiences and mistakes. Her father was always encouraging. "OK, so you made a mistake, learn from it and move on is always his attitude", she says. She could not have let down a faith like that. To this Jeetendra says, "We have always encouraged our kids to do what they wanted to without imposing our views on them. Ekta is a producer because of her strong basics, creativity and determination. There are many people who have money but not all become producers. What we did was our duty, what we got back was a bonus."

Contrary to what people think, Hum Paanch was not Ekta's first serial. Before that she had shot for four pilots with four episodes each- all of which were rejected. With Hum Paanch it was a last chance kind of a thing and she hit the bull's -eye with it. She says she has to be tough as nails with people , because the channels are tough as steel with her when she takes her serials to them for approval. They don't let her rest on her past laurels, so how can she accept work that is not up to the mark? Cut out the frills and come to the point, that's her attitude.

The criterion she uses to pick actors for her serials is that they should fit the part even if they are relatively new. She says this has become a kind of work culture with them. " In life if you have five genuine friends you've made it. I feel lucky I have them," she adds. She also feels that as long as her conscience is clear and she does not cheat on her work, she's fine.

She does feel discriminated against as a woman. "When a guy tells his office staff to cut down on expenses, he is not seen as arrogant. He is seen as somebody who is doing his job. But when I do the same thing, people feel 'who the hell does she think she is? Just because she is Jeetendra's daughter doesn't mean she can speak to us that way?"
Surprisingly she actually wanted to be a journalist, to be able to speak her mind. And she never wanted to be an actress as they speak lines written by someone else. One aspect she likes about being a producer is that she gets a chance to express herself.

Interestingly brother Tushar is getting into films. Jeetendra says, " He is going to be launched by Vashu Bhagnani and I am going to produce the second film for him."

Ekta shares a professional relationship with her father in the office, but at home she is his little girl. He loves her to death. She says even when she turns 40, she will still be his little girl. As Jeetendra says, " I was out shooting most of the time. My wife has brought up my kids. We are a close knit family and love each other very much. God has been very kind to us , I thank him for that."

By : Latika Sidana