Ekta Kapoor: From Marriage Deadline to Media Mogul, How a Bet Changed Indian TV

• Ekta Kapoor, a trailblazer in Indian entertainment, redefined storytelling with modern daily soaps and expanded across TV, films, and OTT.
• At 17, her father Jeetendra gave her an ultimatum: study, work seriously, or face an arranged marriage, prompting her career start.
• A failed business venture with a Rs 50 lakh investment led to the creation of *Hum Paanch* with just Rs 2 lakh, which became a No. 1 show.
• Ekta remains unmarried at 50, citing lack of time and observing friends' divorces, but welcomed son Ravie via surrogacy in 2019.
• Her father Jeetendra expressed that Ekta's passion and hard work drive her, and he wishes for her happiness when she is mentally free.