Ektaa Kapoor Responds Strongly to Anurag Kashyap's Criticism of Saas-Bahu Dramas

Ektaa Kapoor's Reaction to Anurag Kashyap's Comments

Ektaa Kapoor has hit back at Anurag Kashyap following his recent jibe at saas-bahu dramas, labeling the filmmaker as 'classist' and 'dumb.' Kapoor's pointed response came after Kashyap ridiculed such shows in light of Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' comments regarding Sacred Games.

Known for her long-standing association with family dramas and daily soaps, Kapoor expressed her displeasure through an Instagram story, stating: 'You are so foolish... making this statement gives you a false sense of superiority, but that's not the case! How about being gracious and self-aware? Many artists lack this quality! The influence of saas-bahu shows on Indian audiences, particularly how they empowered women, is well-documented by a respected Chicago study! Yet, those who advocate for inclusivity often exhibit more classism.'

She further emphasized, 'We need to eliminate this 'you can't sit with us' mentality for the sake of democracy and fairness! Sending love and light to everyone.'

The controversy began when Sarandos, during a podcast with Nikhil Kamath, reflected on Netflix's initial foray into the Indian market. He suggested that launching with Sacred Games might not have been the best strategy and that a more 'populist' show could have resonated better with Indian viewers.

Kashyap, who co-created Sacred Games, took offense to Sarandos' remarks, calling him 'dumb' on Threads. He remarked, 'He should have started with saas-bahu dramas... he would have succeeded. I always knew tech people struggle with storytelling, but I didn't realize Ted Sarandos epitomizes that.'

Sacred Games was Netflix's first original Indian series, directed by Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, featuring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. It received critical acclaim upon its 2018 release, although the second season faced mixed reviews, leading to the show's cancellation.