Content Creator Ektaa Kapoor to Receive 2023 International Emmy Directorate Award
- Balaji Telefilms, which was started by Kapoor and her parents Jeetendra Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor in 1994, is the single largest television content producer in South Asia.
Balaji Telefilms co-founder Ektaa R. Kapoor will receive this year’s International Emmy Directorate Award which celebrates excellence in television entertainment across all field. The production house, which was started by Kapoor and her parents Jeetendra Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor in 1994, is the single largest television content producer in South Asia. The trio opened the filmmaking subsidiary Balaji Motion Pictures in 2001 which produces several high-profile Bollywood titles each year. “To date, the Balaji banner has produced over 17,000 hours of TV and 45 movies, as well as launching Alt Balaji as a streaming platform in India,” according to a Variety report.
In a statement, Kapoor noted how “television has been instrumental” in helping her “discover her identity, particularly as a woman working to make stories for women.” She said the award allows her to represent them and their “shared accomplishments on an international level.” She continued “the award holds a special place in my heart, as it signifies a journey that goes beyond mere work —it’s a pivotal aspect of my personal and professional life.”
The company made a tremendous impact with mother-in-law, daughter-in-law soap “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi,” which aired 1,833 episodes between 2000-2008 on Star Plus and was one of several in the genre produced by Kapoor. Under the Balaji banner, Kapoor has created and produced more than 17,000 hours of television and 45 films.
“Ektaa R. Kapoor has built Balaji into one of India’s foremost entertainment players with market leadership in the television content industry reaching mass audiences across India and South Asia with their long running series and OTT platform,”said Bruce Paisner, president and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Kapoor is among Fortune India’s 50 most powerful women in Asia and the only woman from the Indian television market listed in Variety500 – an index of the 500 most influential business leaders shaping the global media industry.
The International Academy’s Special Emmy will be presented to Kapoor at the 51st International Emmy Awards Gala, on Nov. 20 in New York City.
Balaji productions are noted/notorious for depicting only extremely rich ‘suvarna’ characters, elaborate religious ceremonies, and NOT having any character who is Dalit or non-Hindu. And always having three Ks in their titles, they propagated the most conservative social values. But they made money..