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It's on the minds of most soap addicts these days. The Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai wedding special, where the protagonists Kripa and Angad are to tie the knot and make a lot of people very happy. Orchestrating the event is the young lady who orchestrates much of what happens on Indian television today. Ekta Kapoor.
It's her we've come to meet this evening, to discuss the grand wedding and more. Miss Kapoor likes the no-nonsense approach -- that much is clear. And she's in a hurry two minutes after walking in. Reporters are thanked after every question, she makes it clear at the start that questions about her personal life will not be entertained, and no serial apart from Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai is to be discussed.
"I wanted it to be the grandest wedding on the small screen," says Kapoor, "with the best clothes and the best look. I wanted to push the envelope and take the show to a different environment as far as grandeur goes. It was important, as a turning point in the serial." What did it cost? "Almost as much as a real wedding," she replies. "We have all the ceremonies, a huge guest list and costumes for everyone. It won't be a one-episode thing either, so it will cost over Rs 40 lakh."
Apparently, characters from all Balaji shows have been invited, along with people from all walks of life. "The guest list also includes my brother Tusshar and father Jeetendra," says Ekta. "We are having a proper party and doing everything in our hands to make this a happening wedding."
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She calls Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai her favourite serial. "It is sweet, cute, young and peppy. When I went to Delhi recently, I found that it was this serial and Kkavyanjali that was much appreciated."
Ekta adds that she was inspired by real life weddings. "My mom has attended so many of them. Also, December is the wedding season." The special is to air on Sony Television from December 23, and will carry on over at least four episodes. And yes, there will be a twist on the day of the wedding. What is it? "Wait and watch," says the young producer.
"Now the fun will begin," she says. "You think the story ends, but it won't, and we won't have the saas-bahu angle either. This is a really different take on marriage."
Interestingly, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasauti Zindagi Kay were the three popular Ks not so long ago. Now, Kkavyanjali appears to have taken the place of Kasauti. Why just soaps, I ask. What about reality shows, that seem to be as popular? "It is a long way for reality shows to come near any soaps, except for the final episodes," replies Ekta. "If reality shows were that big, I would have started them too."
She says that even though she has never lived in a joint family, it is that feeling for family that is universal to any Indian. "If you depict one home and the drama moving around one family, people love it because the characters become identifiable."
Also, she adds that her serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi will take a 20-year leap on March 7 the third such leap for the show. "International shows have seasonal breaks to introduce freshness into them. We don't do that in India, hence these leaps," explains Ekta, "so the audience gets a new feel." She adds that it is also necessary, because Tulsi's life comes full circle. "There have been issues every 20 years of her life, first with her husband, then the in-laws and daughters-in-law, and now with her granddaughters and grandsons-in-law. I am just showing you different facets of one life."
Will the audience accept the death of Ba? Ekta thinks it will. "When I lost my Amma (not her grandmother) I was shattered and thought I would not be able to survive another day without her. But life moves on."
I ask about her work schedule and time management. "I don't work that hard," says Ekta. "Most of my work is in my mind. I have to meet all kinds of people. My work begins at around 3 pm. I wake up at around 2 pm, watch my serial cassettes, jog for 30 minutes, get my make-up done and plunge into meetings lined up with my directors. By evening, I finish all meetings and go to my office where I handle any problems that may have arisen there. Then, I have to socialise for a bit because there's always something or the other to attend. I get home, work on my scripts between 7:30 and 8 am, and then go to bed. When I wake up, I read a lot -- mostly Jane Austen, whose books give me a lot of story ideas."
She says her mother is her inspiration ("She's 50 plus, and puts in more working hours than I do"), talks about problems with time ("I manage my time, which is why it is so badly managed"), and mentions problems that crop up with actors ("I sort it out by talking to them but, eventually, it depends from person to person").
Our interview is almost done. My time with Ekta is up. I ask about her next project. There's quite a bit lined up, as it turns out. Serials like Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka and Kasam Se, and movies with Satish Kaushik, Abbas Mastan and Neeraj Vora. There's also a sequel for Kya Kool Hai Hum, work on which is supposed to begin towards the end of next year.
How does she do it all? "I have good people," replies Ekta. "They handle most of my things, so I don't think that's difficult."
Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai airs from Monday to Friday at 8 pm, on Sony Television.