Long before streaming platforms became popular, Indian television had already created characters and family dramas that became part of everyday life. One of the producers behind that change was Ekta Kapoor. From Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to Pavitra Rishta, her shows helped shape the television habits of millions of Indian viewers..
But behind that success was a work routine that few people knew about. In an interview discussed by The Economic Times on October 11, 2026, Ekta recalled spending months working from her office and sometimes returning home only to bathe or rest for a short time..
Ekta Kapoor Reveals How Much She Worked
Speaking about her early career, Ekta recalled that she watched the episodes of the shows she produced, even when she already knew the story. She said there was a period when she did not go home for six months, kept her toothbrush at the office and sometimes slept there.
Her mother, Shobha Kapoor, once welcomed her with flowers when she returned home after spending so much time at work. The incident offers a glimpse into the personal sacrifices Ekta says she made during her early years in television.
Her account also highlights how closely she stayed involved with the shows she was producing.।
How Did Ekta Kapoor Become a Major Name in Television?
Ekta started her career at a young age and built her production career through Balaji Telefilms, the company she established with her family.
One of the company's early television successes was Hum Paanch, a comedy series that aired on Zee TV in the 1990s. Later, shows such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Pavitra Rishta became widely recognised names in Indian television..These shows focused on family relationships, emotional conflicts and characters whose lives unfolded over many episodes. Their popularity helped establish daily television dramas as a major part of Indian entertainment.
From Daily Soaps to Films and OTT
Ekta Kapoor's work later expanded beyond television. She backed films such as Shootout at Lokhandwala, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Ragini MMS, Ek Villain and Main Tera Hero.
She also entered the digital entertainment market through ALTBalaji, which focused on web series and stories aimed at audiences looking for content beyond traditional television.The move reflected a wider change in the entertainment industry. Viewers were increasingly watching content on different platforms, and producers had to explore formats beyond daily television serials.
What Her Journey Says About the Entertainment Industry
Ekta Kapoor's story is not simply about producing hit television shows. It also reflects how the Indian entertainment business has changed over the years.Television, cinema and OTT platforms now compete for audience attention, but each medium offers different ways to tell stories. A television serial can build a connection with viewers over months, while a film delivers a more compact story and a web series can explore a plot across several episodes.Ekta's career has moved across all three spaces. Her recent recollection of her early work routine offers one explanation for the commitment she brought to production, while her changing projects show how entertainment businesses adapt to new viewing habits..
