Producer Ektaa Kapoor has spoken about what she described as "so much of Hinduphobia" in the industry, saying that wearing religious symbols and discussing Hindu folklore and mythology can still invite judgement from people in Bollywood.
She said she was happy when people compared the film's look to a television serial, calling television "the staple food of India."
Ektaa also recalled facing judgement for wearing religious symbols when she was younger.
Photo: PTIDuring the conversation, Allahabadia pointed out that people had also called her a tantrik.
Ekta Kapoor’s The Vvaan, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, was released in cinemas on September 25, 2026.
Producer Ektaa Kapoor has spoken about what she described as "so much of Hinduphobia" in the industry, saying that wearing religious symbols and discussing Hindu folklore and mythology can still invite judgement from people in Bollywood. During a recent conversation with podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia on The Ranveer Show, the Balaji Telefilms head spoke about her latest film, The Vvaan, which draws from folklore. She said she was happy when people compared the film's look to a television serial, calling television "the staple food of India."
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Speaking about the film's subject, Ektaa said, "We have so much of, I am going to say it on camera, Hinduphobia. And we have so much of phobia with what do we call...we are okay with animation, but we are not okay with discussing folklore and mythology."
She added that she was comfortable bringing such stories to the screen and wanted people to become more accepting of them.
Ektaa also recalled facing judgement for wearing religious symbols when she was younger. “When I used to wear a tika, when I was younger, I remember somebody called me, like, ‘Why you dress like a freak?’ I said, wearing a tika and wearing a dhaaga is dressing like a freak?," she said. Ektaa Kapoor sporting sacred threads on her wrist. Photo: PTI
During the conversation, Allahabadia pointed out that people had also called her a tantrik. Ektaa responded by saying that wearing a tilak and openly expressing one's religious beliefs could be seen as a problem.
She also recalled going to a club after visiting a temple. When someone asked her whether she had been to a temple in a derogatory tone, she replied, “Yeah. What's so shocking?”
Allahabadia observed that times were changing, to which Ektaa agreed. The producer said she had been ahead of her time in some ways, adding that she was now embracing a more contemporary outlook. The conversation touched on her approach to filmmaking and the reception of stories rooted in Indian folklore, with Ektaa expressing support for bringing such narratives to a wider audience.
She also agreed when Allahbadia referred to her as a "Gen-Z before Gen-Z", highlighting how she's been setting her own benchmarks and speaking her mind for so long.
Ekta Kapoor’s The Vvaan, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, was released in cinemas on September 25, 2026. It has recorded a worldwide gross collection of around Rs 90 crore and is still running in theatres.
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