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Titled as the Queen of Soap Operas, Ekta Kapoor has ruled the Television industry for years before she boldly marched her way into Bollywood. Production in Bollywood was a tough job and though Ekta took a while to get a hang of it, she eventually mastered it with as much expertise as she exercises over Indian television scenario.
In 2001, Ekta produced her first Bollywood film. Starring Govinda and Sushmita Sen in lead roles, the film Kyo Kii…Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta earned 8 crores at the box office and was a flop.
In 2003, Miss Kapoor produced Kucch Toh Hai starring her brother Tusshar Kapoor and Esha Deol in lead roles, the film was a thriller. However, it could not spark off any magic at the box office despite Anurag Basu donning the director’s hat for this one with Anil V. Kumar. The film that earned a lifetime total of 6.20 crores, was a box office flop.
In 2004, Ekta went on to produce a horror film titled Krishna Cottage which dwindled into oblivion too soon, before anyone had a chance to notice it.
In 2005, however, Ekta upped her box office class with Kyaa Kool Hai Hum. Kick starting the domain of rude humor in Bollywood, the film was a box office hit. Earning 14.75 crores at the domestic box office, the film was recorded as Ekta’s first real hit film in Bollywood. But, the same year, her film Koi Aapsa flopped at the domestic box office, without leaving an impression on the audiences or industry insiders.
In 2007, she co-produced Shootout At Lokhandwala with Sanjay Gupta. With a noteworthy performance from Vivek Oberoi, the film was a semi-hit at the domestic box office. Earning 30.26 crores, the film fared well enough to impress the audiences despite being panned by critics.
In 2008, she had a largely unsuccessful year. With all her films faring badly at the box office, Mission Istanbul, C Kkompany and EMI all put up a poor box office show!
In 2010, however, she ventured into a gutsier vein of film making. Bravely producing Dibaker Banerjee’s experimental work Love, Sex Aur Dhokha, the film was received well at the box office. Made on a low budget, the film was declared a hit which earned multiple times its basic investment. The same year, Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi starrer Once Upon A Time in Mumbai earned Ekta another box office success. By raking up a lifetime income of 58.03 crores, the film became a rage that year. Ekta, went to design a sequel for the film the same year which is all scheduled to be released on Eid this year!
Continuing her strong performance from OUATIM, Ekta’s success graph elevated to greater heights in 2011. Her first film that year, Shor In The City was a losing feat which could not even earn up its investment. The film that earned 4 crore flopped at the box-office. With that, Ekta travelled to success that year. With her horror film Ragini MMS earning 9 crore and becoming a hit, Ekta became more confident as a producer. The Vidya Balan starrer The Dirty Picture was a superhit. Directed by Milan Luthria, TDP was a biopic based on the tumultuous life of controversial South star Silk Smitha. With Vidya Balan bagging all crucial awards for her performance for the film, Ekta was established as one of Bollywood’s most successful producer for the year. The film earned a whooping income of 85 crores and was just a little short of the much touted 100 crore mark.
In 2012, Ekta Kapoor released her first sequel film, Kyaa SuperKool Hai Hum. A sequel of her 2005 film Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, the film gave an above average performance at the box office. With a plus amount of 45 crores, the film made Ekta’s year an average one in terms of Bollywood productions!
2013 is a pivotal year for her. She began her year with Ek Thi Daayan and then slowly moved to Shootout At Wadala. Giving India its first folklore of a horror story, despite an interesting plot, the film was barely a plus. While Konkona Sen Sharma won rave reviews from critics for her role, the film barely fared above average and earned 26 crore at the box office. The sequel of Shootout At Lokhandwala was based on the real life encounter of Manya Surve. Called Shootout at Wadala, the film starring John Abraham was again an average affair despite John bagging praises for his role. With a 62 crore income, the film lost to Bhushan Kumar’s Aashiqui 2 very easily.
This year Ekta has a host of interesting releases lined up. With the period film, Lootera and a huge Eid film Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Again gearing for release, Balaji is exhibiting its many shades of boldness by experimenting in terms of story and script!
Ekta Kapoor as producer and as a woman is valiant in her work which makes her the most notable producer of Bollywood. Claiming a well deserved place in film production, that is considered a man’s domain, she is feisty in her work and in her demeanor which sets her apart. On the 38th birthday as we summarize her work in Bollywood, here’s the entire team of Koimoi wishing her a very happy birthday! Keep shining!
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