Veteran TV actor, Varun Badola, in a recent conversation, spoke his heart out about the creative clashes he had with Ekta Kapoor. He also revealed how the latter ruined the Indian TV shows.
Varun Badola is one of the most popular actors in the Hindi Television industry. Besides being a well known face in the Hindi TV serials, Varun also appeared in films. In a recent interview, the veteran actor took a dig at director-producer, Ekta Kapoor, for the latter’s influence over television shows. The actor also slammed Ekta for ruining the creative side of TV shows and focusing only on money making. The veteran also mentioned how the involvement of the corporates hampers the art form.
In a recent candid conversation on Zindagi with Richa, veteran TV actor, Varun Badola shared his thoughts about Ekta Kapoor and how her presence had made an impact on Indian TV shows. Varun also shared how the corporates’ involvement in the industry, has a negative impact on the art form, with money overpowering it. He mentioned how the producer-director ruined the TV shows. Sharing his disappointment, Varun said:
"More than spoiling the content on TV, Ekta Kapoor changed the face of Indian television, whether for the good or the bad. She went from strength to strength because the shows were earning money. In our industry, when corporates get involved, they don’t care about the art form; they just want to earn money."
Varun recalled how Ekta Kapoor once said in an interview that if a person wants to make a show in their own way, then they can do it by investing their money. Recalling the incident, Varun tried to explain how the director-producer has creative control over her shows. He also shared that what Ekta earlier said was not wrong, as it would otherwise bring more pressure on an actor who gives more importance to the creative side of work.
In the same conversation, Varun talked about how people watch regressive content as just mere comedy. The actor recalled how the iconic shows, Mahabharat and Ramayana were watched by the audience during the lockdown. Varun also recalled a conversation that he had many years back with a woman close to the TV channel, Star Plus. He shared how the woman was doubtful regarding the telecast of the popular TV show, Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Sharing how Ekta started the show, without paying any heed to the woman, Varun said:
"In the lockdown, the Mahabharat and Ramayana were watched so much. The regressive shows, I think, people see them as comedic. Ekta saw an opportunity and she seized it. Hum Paanch, Koshish… Ek Aasha were her shows, and I discussed with a lady at Star Plus who was against Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She was educated and wondered if it would be right to show the audience content like that. But they overruled her and started the show."
Further in the conversation, Varun talked about the creative differences he faced during his work with Ekta Kapoor. The actor shared that he doesn’t resonate with a single show of Ekta. He also mentioned that the director-producer knows Varun pretty well of his different mindset. Talking about his creative clashes with Ekta, Varun said:
"In the very beginning, I had expressed my disapproval to Ekta with regards to content, but I had figured out then itself that she is not the kind of person who would listen. I was just an actor then. She seized an opportunity, and as a businesswoman, she had every right to do that. I don’t agree with a single show of hers, I had even told her that I would go and do something else other than her show. After Koshish, I didn’t do anything with Balaji until Apharan. She knows I am an actor with a very different mindset."
What do you think about Varun Bodla's revelation on Ekta Kapoor's influence on Indian TV shows? Let us know.
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