The Balaji Telefilms honcho sits in the plush lobby of Taj Bengal in a  simple green salwar-kameez. She’s in town to promote the reboot of her popular TV serial Kasautii Zindagii Kay, which airs on STAR Plus from September 25. The serial that made Shweta Tiwari and Cezzane Khan household names as Prerna and Anurag overnight will have Erica Fernandes and Parth Samthaan in the reboot. Ekta Kapoor headed straight to the Kalighat temple to seek the goddess’s blessings. “We cannot start our journey in Calcutta without a Kalighat visit. Even if I come here for a half-day meeting, I don’t go back without visiting the temple. I love Kali. After this press meet, I’ll head to Park Street to have lunch at Mocambo,” smiles Ekta, while settling down for a chat with t2. 

What’s the one thing that you like the most about Calcutta?

I don’t think of Calcutta as a city. I think of it as a second home. I always call myself a closet Bengali... I’m a half Bengali! I support the Durga Puja pandal of the Bengal Club in Bombay. She’s a goddess I love.

Kasautii Zindagii Kay has been one of your most popular shows. Why did you decide to recreate it?

A story like Kasautii isn’t just a story. It’s far more. Every generation has a love story. Recently, there was a reboot of the 1980s series Dynasty. It was a popular show done again because the characters were popular and you wanted to see them again in today’s time. Archie was a popular comic book and they took all the characters, changed the story and made (TV show) Riverdale. It’s because people would always want to know how Archie would be like in 2018. 

The audience has changed and the way they perceive content has changed. How will your show work in today’s set-up?

Actually, they have become more mass-y. TV has gone into smaller towns and they’ve never seen Kasautii before. If I take Kasautii today, it should go into a far more mass-y space. We are in the era of Naagin. Television has not become what you wanted it to be. I know that the first episode of Kasautii is going to be very interesting with all the drama. Anurag and Prerna will be the most updated characters ever. 

Has the storyline changed from the original?

A lot. But the characters and the overall arcs remain the same. The separation, Komolika and Bajaj’s roles will be there. But I can’t give the same old show. Why did I make it again, otherwise?

And what about the characteristic features of Anurag and Prerna?

Anurag Basu was a very interesting character even back then. That’s the beauty. He was what you’d call a quintessential boring man. He really was by the book. But when you get to know him you realise that he’s a very interesting man. He didn’t want to fit in. He had the guts to stand out. He didn’t walk with four women to make his machismo felt.

He was one of the most emancipated men we had and represented the idea of a true feminist. He never wanted to be seen as a man whose sexuality is so much out there, like a good-looking bad boy. He never did the things that make him a typical attractive boy. His sexiness was in his understated-ness. He was a deep, intense man and you fell in love with him because he believed in things far more strongly than other men did. 

What prompted you to choose Erica Fernandes as Prerna and Parth Samthaan as Anurag?

I saw Parth’s picture and I was like, “This boy... look at the depth in his eyes!” Men don’t have it. These days good looks are all about big biceps, six-pack abs, walking around with a strut and talking about how many women they’ve been with. I mean, come on! You need to have depth. You need to have class. Parth was the Anurag I wanted today.

Same for Prerna. I wanted someone vivacious. It means you’re lighthearted but you also have depth. It’s a big thing — to value and prioritise your life and your people over everything else. And, Prerna used to always do that. 

It was because of Shweta Tiwari’s raw innocence that people could relate to her. Did you ever feel that Erica is too refined as Prerna?

The introduction of Prerna was that she couldn’t even reach the puja on time in the house. She was clear about the fact that her connection with God is deeper. She was a fun-loving girl who changed when she fell in love. It’s the same for Erica. When I had cast Shweta Tiwari, she was a mother. Eventually what they look on screen is what the character portrays. 

In recent reports, Shweta claimed that her daughter Palak was offered the part of Prerna, but she turned it down. You took to Twitter to deny it…

Frankly, I don’t want to comment on this. That child is like my child only. I overreacted to the post. I always react before I think. If Shweta is saying that, maybe she is right. I have seen Palak since she was so small. 

Any hints on who’s going to play the iconic role of Komolika?

Me! Finally, I’ve agreed to the role. Thank you so much (laughs). I’m in talks with two actors. Both are very important. 

The buzz is that Hiten Tejwani is playing Mr Bajaj, which was originally played by Ronit Roy...

No. There’s no writing done yet. How can I even think of casting a character without even writing it? Bajaj came in the 100th episode of the show. He might now come in the 50th. I’ll know that 50 or 60 episodes down the line… how can I know now?

You’ve so many hit shows. Then what is it about Kasautii that merited a remake?

I feel that Kasautii is my best drama. Kasautii wasn’t the biggest show, it was Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. But Kasautii is love and love is universal. It’s something that I believe in. I believe in this show.

Are you a die-hard romantic?

What do you think? I’m a mush pot (laughs)!

Do you think you’ll remake any of your other shows in the future?

No. I don’t want anything to be a trend or a fad. When I did the remake of a south Indian show, which was called Pavitra Rishta, a lot of people started doing remakes. But I did not do any remake after that again. 

Shah Rukh Khan introduced Anurag and Prerna in the Kasautii Zindagii Kay promo. It grabbed a lot of eyeballs…

Shah Rukh was gracious enough to say yes. The moment the word Shah Rukh came, I was ready to jump around with a hula hoop! I love him.
  
You’ve lost a lot of weight and looking fabulous!

I have put on three kilos and I want to cry. But you’ve made my day! I’ll eat a little more at Mocambo now. I’ve only learnt the art of camouflage. If you dress in a way that shows your weight, you’ll always look fat. I don’t want anyone to lose weight, just learn the art of camouflaging (laughs)! 

Are you a doting aunt to Laksshya?

I used to spend far more time with Laksshya (Tusshar’s son) before. If I don’t spend more time with him now, very soon he’ll ask me, “Who are you?” He’s been asking everyone around where is bua!