Ekta Kapoor, often referred to as the ‘Queen’ of Indian television, launched her first series of K-shows 25 years ago. The producer-director soon rose to prominence for her shows, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. However, her saas-bahu serials became culture-defining content over the next decade, to the extent that they still continue to influence the Indian television space. While many associated with the shows made massive profits, others saw them as regressive. And now, producer Pahlaj Nihalani has come forward to blame Ekta Kapoor for ruining the idea of Indian culture.
Pahlaj Nihalani blames Ekta Kapoor for ruining Indian TV culture
In a recent chat on Learn From The Legend’s YouTube channel, Pahlaj Nihalani blamed Ekta Kapoor for portraying polygamy in her shows. For the unversed, polygamy is the practice of marrying or being in a relationship with multiple partners at the same time. He also insisted that women in these shows are often depicted as getting married multiple times. He was quoted as saying:
“Ekta Kapoor, the great… I mean, men are not allowed to get married twice, but she gets women married three times… Our culture has been ruined. Earlier, erotic movies were made rarely; now there’s sex everywhere.”
Pahlaj Nihalani shared that films like RRR are inspired by the Mahabharata and Ramayana
In the same conversation, Pahlaj Nihalani revealed that Bollywood is no longer making pictures for the masses anymore. He added that Shah Rukh Khan, known for his romantic roles in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, was also now starring in action films. Pahlaj continued to cite how films like RRR and Kalki 2898 AD were inspired by the Mahabharata and Ramayana. He further pointed out that such films, inspired by ancient Indian mythological texts, were catering to the masses. He was quoted as saying:
“Films like RRR, they are fully based on Ramayana and Mahabharat, even in Kalki, the end was all about Mahabharat. People are taken in by Indian culture, but we are force-feeding people that one woman can get married to three men.”
Pahlaj Nihalani revealed that Akshay Kumar was the first actor to interfere in casting
In the same chat, Pahlaj Nihalani also revealed how, until the early 2000s, actors would refrain from interfering in the casting process of a film. He shared that the first actor to put a condition regarding the casting with him was Akshay Kumar. The producer revealed that they were making Talaash back in 2002, and Akshay was adamant about Kareena being cast opposite him. He was quoted as saying:
“Earlier, producers and directors used to cast and heroes wouldn’t interfere in casting. The first actor to interfere in casting with me was Akshay Kumar in Talaash in 2002. He told me that ‘we can start the movie tomorrow, and you can give me any amount that you want, but the heroine of this film will be Kareena Kapoor.’ It was one of the most costly film of that time, it was made in Rs. 22 crore. This was the first time in my career that an actor had demanded a certain cast.”
More about Pahlaj Nihalani
Pahlaj Nihalani is a well-known producer who backed films like Andaz and Aankhen in the 1990s. In recent years, he produced the Govinda-starrer Rangeela Raja and a sequel to the Neha Dhupia-starrer Julie, with a different cast. Pahlaj remains a controversial figure for producing films with suggestive themes and for his tenure as chairperson of the CBFC.
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