Television and film producer Ektaa Kapoor has opened up about two particularly difficult periods in her life, recalling the emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic and a professional setback in 2008. In a candid conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast, the producer spoke about the personal losses she witnessed during the pandemic, her experience of motherhood and the challenges she faced while navigating her career.
Known for producing some of Indian television’s most recognisable shows, Ektaa said the years 2021 and 2022 were especially difficult for her mental health. She described that period as one in which she struggled to process the events unfolding around her.
Ektaa Kapoor on Mental Health Struggles During COVID
Reflecting on the pandemic, Ektaa said the scale of death and personal loss around her made the period particularly painful. She also spoke about her emotional experience of motherhood after welcoming her son, Ravie, through surrogacy in 2019.
“Mental health-wise, it was bad because I was not able to grapple with that. For me, it was the worst during COVID, the worst year for me mentally because I could not. Even though I didn’t give birth to my son, I had postpartum of my own kind. I was like really grappling with my motherhood,” she said.
Ektaa explained that the deaths of people close to her contributed to the emotional burden she experienced during those years.
“I never saw so many deaths around me, and that was mentally the most tough year, 2021–22 for me, but 2008 professionally,” she recalled.
Her remarks offer a personal account of how the pandemic affected her, including the challenges of processing grief while adjusting to motherhood. Her description of a postpartum experience reflects her own understanding of that period and should not be taken as a clinical diagnosis.
Why Ektaa Kapoor Called 2008 Her Worst Professional Year
While the pandemic was particularly difficult on a personal level, Ektaa identified 2008 as a major low point in her professional life.
“That year was really bad for me, professionally,” she said.
The year saw the conclusion of two prominent television serials associated with her production legacy: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. Both shows had been important fixtures of Indian television, helping establish the family-drama format as a major force in prime-time entertainment.
For a producer whose career has been closely associated with long-running television dramas, the period represented a difficult professional chapter. Ektaa’s comments also highlight that success in the entertainment industry can involve setbacks even for established names.
Ektaa Kapoor’s Journey Through Motherhood
Ektaa welcomed her son, Ravie, through surrogacy in 2019. In the podcast conversation, she discussed the emotional adjustment that accompanied motherhood and described the experience as challenging in its own way.
Her comments underline that the transition to parenthood can involve complex feelings and adjustments, regardless of the route through which someone becomes a parent. However, her personal account should not be generalised to all parents or treated as a substitute for professional mental health guidance.
By speaking about this period, Ektaa offered a glimpse into a side of her life that is less visible than her work as a producer.
Ektaa Kapoor’s Work on Television and in Films
Ektaa continues to be associated with major television and film projects. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, featuring Smriti Irani, has drawn attention as a continuation of one of Indian television’s best-known family dramas.
Reports have suggested that the show could conclude on October 20, 2026. Its status and final telecast date should be confirmed through an official broadcaster or production announcement.
On the film front, Ektaa has also been associated with The Vvaan: Force of the Forest, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. The film features an ensemble cast that reportedly includes Shweta Tiwari, Anup Soni, Maniesh Paul and Sunil Grover.
Ektaa’s recent reflections offer a more personal perspective on a career spanning decades. While her professional achievements have made her a prominent figure in Indian entertainment, her account of the pandemic and her earlier career struggles shows that difficult periods can exist alongside public success.
