Producer Ektaa Kapoor has spoken about what she describes as “Hinduphobia” in the entertainment industry, sharing her experiences of being judged for openly expressing her religious beliefs. She has also questioned why stories rooted in Hindu mythology and Indian folklore do not always receive the same acceptance as other forms of fantasy storytelling.
During a podcast conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia, Kapoor reportedly discussed the criticism she has faced for wearing religious symbols, including a tika and a dhaaga. According to her account, these visible expressions of faith have sometimes attracted mockery and unsolicited comments about her appearance.
The producer’s remarks have brought renewed attention to the debate over religious representation, creative freedom and the treatment of indigenous stories in mainstream Hindi cinema.
Ektaa Kapoor on Religious Expression in Bollywood
Kapoor spoke about being judged for displaying her religious beliefs through her appearance. She reportedly recalled being labelled a “tantrik” and questioned about why she was dressed in a particular way.
For Kapoor, these experiences reflect a wider concern about how expressions of faith are perceived in professional and public spaces.
Her comments also raise a broader question about the relationship between personal beliefs and creative work in the entertainment industry. While filmmakers regularly draw inspiration from mythology, folklore and fantasy traditions, Kapoor believes that stories rooted in Hindu traditions should also be embraced and presented without prejudice.
Her use of the term “Hinduphobia” reflects her own interpretation of the experiences she described. The claim should be understood as her stated viewpoint rather than a verified assessment of the entire Bollywood industry.
Ektaa Kapoor Questions Bollywood’s Approach to Hindu Folklore
The conversation also touched on The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest, a project described in the supplied report as drawing inspiration from Bihari folklore and beliefs associated with the Maa Van Devi Temple near Patna.
According to the report, the film is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and written by Arunabh Kumar, with Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia among its cast.
Kapoor reportedly expressed frustration over what she sees as a difference in the reception of Indian mythological stories and fantasy narratives inspired by other cultures. She argued that Hindu folklore deserves greater visibility and acceptance in contemporary entertainment.
Her position centres on making indigenous stories a more familiar part of mainstream storytelling, rather than treating them as an unusual or controversial creative choice.
The debate also highlights the challenge of adapting religious traditions and regional folklore for cinema while remaining attentive to cultural context and audience expectations.
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest Box-Office Figures
The supplied report states that The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest was released on September 25 and earned ₹8 crore in net domestic collections on its opening day. It further lists domestic net collections of ₹69.36 crore and worldwide collections of ₹90.01 crore.
These figures require independent verification against a reliable box-office tracker and the film’s confirmed release details before publication. Domestic net collections, domestic gross collections and worldwide gross collections are different measures and should not be used interchangeably.
Kapoor’s reported comments suggest that folklore-driven stories can find an audience when adapted for the screen. However, box-office figures alone do not establish the reasons behind a film’s performance or prove a broader trend in audience preferences.
Balaji Telefilms’ Upcoming Projects
Kapoor is also reportedly expanding her production activities across digital and television platforms. The supplied report states that Balaji Telefilms has entered into a partnership with YouTube to develop five original shows comprising a total of 200 episodes.
The reported upcoming slate includes new seasons of Haq Se, Phir Pyar Ki Yeh Kahani Suno and Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai. The report also mentions development work on The Dirty Picture 2 and a television project for Star Plus featuring Gaurav Khanna and Shraddha Arya.
These announcements, including the partnership details, episode count, project titles and cast information, should be confirmed through official statements from Balaji Telefilms, YouTube or the relevant broadcasters.
For Kapoor, the reported plans point to continued activity across film, television and digital entertainment. Meanwhile, her comments on religious expression and Indian folklore have added another dimension to the ongoing conversation about which stories receive space in mainstream entertainment.
