Television powerhouse Ektaa Kapoor has long shaped the cultural pulse of Indian households with her visionary storytelling. Acclaimed creative director Siddharttha Vankar has worked hand-in-hand in Ektaa’s recent projects to bring that grand creative vision to life. A key pillar in translating Ektaa’s bold narratives into reality, Vankar’s steady hand, keen execution, and deep creative conviction have turned the recent Balaji Telefilms projects Naagin 7 and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi into massive, defining hits.
Following a stellar year where he creatively helmed Mangal Lakshmi in addition to the two hit Balaji shows, Vankar reflects on the grit, growth, and teamwork behind building television history.
When asked about the formula behind turning the two high-profile projects into the biggest shows of the year, Vankar rejects the idea of a hidden shortcut. For him, the triumph of Naagin 7 and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi stems from a deeply personal place of creative integrity. “There is no secret ingredient actually,” Vankar shares. “Essentially, what really works to make a show work is the honesty with which you make it. If you don’t shy away from what the real content is, you will win over audiences’ hearts. We had utmost conviction in making both the shows, and the audience accepted them with strong appreciation.”
Delivering three distinct hits in a single year—spanning completely different genres—is no small feat. Scaling up massive daily dramas comes accompanied by a unique set of high-stakes hurdles. Vankar attributes navigating those pressure-filled moments entirely to the strength of his collaborative units. Reflecting on the execution, Vankar notes, “What really mattered in both shows is that we stayed together as a team, even though Naagin 7 and Kyunki Saas… were so different in nature. I had very good teams on both shows. Every department was so strong that we never felt there could be anything that could go wrong. Doing three shows this year with three hits—I am grateful to God. All were different in nature, and I loved taking up the challenge.”
Growth in the creative industry often requires stepping out of comfort zones and learning under the best minds. Vankar explains how his recent journey working closely with Ektaa Kapoor drastically reshaped his perspective on craft, character development, and narrative depth compared to his previous milestones like Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin and Teri Meri Doriyaan. Speaking on the masterclass of working with Ektaa, Vankar expresses, “Success is very short-lived in our industry; we are successful one Thursday, and we may not be on the next. What really matters is the experience you gain. Working with Ektaa, I have learnt a different paradigm of storytelling. It has been an exceptional journey with her to understand how she creates her characters and shapes her stories. She is a brilliant teacher. I have spent 20 years working outside Balaji, and that experience is on one side, while this last one-and-a-half years of experience is on the other. This is greater than what I have learnt all these years.”
As content consumption habits shift rapidly toward digital platforms, creators are forced to rethink how daily soaps grip modern viewers. Vankar emphasises that modern television can no longer rely on rigid, outdated structures. On adapting to the digital age, Vankar observes, “Content and consumption habits are shifting as we head towards an age where I personally feel that ratings will be an assimilation of TV viewing and app viewing. We need to evolve as makers to understand what works cumulatively on both mediums. We can’t have one isolated content-making structure. Now, I don’t think extremely regressive shows would work; we need to make shows more progressive and real, matching the times we are living in.”
With excitement already building for his next Balaji Telefilms project starring Gaurav Khanna and Shraddha Arya, Vankar keeps tight-lipped about the plot details while teasing an unprecedented viewing experience born straight from Ektaa’s imagination. Sharing his anticipation for the upcoming show, Vankar says, “I can’t say much about this show. All I can say is that it is again a show made from the heart. It is absolutely beautiful in terms of the topic we are covering—it has never been done before. I personally feel that it is one of the most evolved shows I will be working on. Thanks to Ektaa for coming up with this idea and concept. I am looking forward to this journey.”
Explaining how the fresh pairing of Khanna and Arya came to life, Vankar adds, “The very fact that they have never been paired before led me to think of doing a mock shoot with them. The moment we took the first shot, we were sure they were our leads. Subsequently, we loved their test—they had an amazing, cracking chemistry from the word go. I am excited and hope audiences give love to this show, and I hope it becomes one of the iconic shows made by Ektaji.”
