Producer Ekta Kapoor has been a formidable force in the entertainment industry, be it television or Bollywood. However, she recently revealed that she has faced judgements for openly expressing her faith. She questioned how people in the entertainment industry are okay with Western traditions, but have a problem when it comes to Hindu customs.
Ekta Kapoor says industry has ‘Hinduphobia’
During a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast, Ekta Kapoor called out the deep-rooted ‘Hinduphobia’ in the industry. She added that the biases come to the forefront as soon as Indian folklore, culture or faith is involved.
Ekta Kapoor calling out the deep-rooted Hinduphobia in the industry on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast hits hard. She revealed how people used to judge and mock her just for wearing a teeka and a dhaaga even calling her a freak and labeling her a tantrik. People in the industry are completely fine celebrating western animation and fantasy, but the moment Indian folklore, culture, or faith is brought up, the bias immediately creeps in. She even recalled walking into a club straight from a mandir and people being genuinely shocked that someone could unapologetically embrace both. Unapologetically wearing your faith on your sleeve shouldn’t trigger anyone yet it still does. Glad she addressed it out loud on camera.
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Ekta Kapoor said, “Numbers are great for the film. What is really important is it deals with folklore. I’m just gonna say it on camera, Hinduphobia, and we have so much of phobia with what do we call… We’re okay with animated animation, but we’re not okay with discussing folklore and mythology.”
Ekta, who recently produced the mythological thriller The Vvaan, added, “So I’m so okay with bringing it all out and having people accept it. There’s so much more acceptance now.” Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, The Vvaan blends fantasy, folklore and supernatural elements. It is set against the backdrop of a forbidden forest and draws inspiration from folklore associated with the Maa Van Devi Temple near Bihta in Bihar’s Patna district.
Ekta Kapoor recalls being judged for being religious
Furthermore, Ekta Kapoor also recalled when she was called a freak and was even mocked for wearing a tika and dhaaga when she was much younger. Known to wear multiple rings and sacred threads and bracelets around her wrists, Ekta candidly discussed how difficult it seems to display her religious identity.
“I can’t even tell you. Wearing a tika and wearing your religion on your sleeve is such a problem,” she recalled. She even recalled a time when she was once judged for going to a club straight from a mandir.
She revealed how people were all surprised and asked her, “Did you go to a mandir?” Her response was, “Yeah.” She then questioned their shocking reaction, asking, “What’s so shocking?”
Ekta Kapoor’s comment highlights the societal belief that religious devotion and a modern lifestyle must be viewed separately and cannot coexist.