'Not in our wildest dreams did we think': Ektaa Kapoor on Kathal’s National Award win

TV Czarina Ekta Kapoor is a true powerhouse of creativity who has taken the Hindi TV industry to new heights with an array of path-breaking shows, movies and web series. She has been the creative force behind several projects that have changed the vision of television, films and OTT platforms.

Apart from being a producer, she has also emerged as a brand in her own right, lending her support in bringing trend-setting and path-breaking content. Now, while her film Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery has received the National Award for 'Best Feature Film' at the 71st National Film Awards in 2025, Ekta shared her reaction about the same.

During her first interaction post the win, Ektaa said, "Not in our wildest dreams did we think a dramedy which takes serious potshots at the establishment would actually be not only nominated but also win from the jury the Best Film Award."

She also described how she and her mother first reacted upon learning about the award victory. "I saw it on the Internet. I got a call from (co-producer) Guneet (Monga). I didn't take the call because I was in a meeting with my mother. She sent me a message. I opened my phone, and I was like, 'Mother, I think we have won the National Award for Kathal,' she shared.

Ektaa continued, "She said, Check again, it's not possible.' How are you winning? Isn't it a direct-to-digital film? It's gone to Netflix. I said, 'That's also a film.'Chances are that we have. We went and checked, and we had won the National Award! After that, it was euphoria for an hour."

Moreover, Ekta was also honoured with the 2023 International Emmy Directorate Award at the 51st International Emmy Awards and also received the Padma Shri in 2020 for her work in the field of arts.

After a successful streak of hit content, Ekta Kapoor is gearing up for an exciting lineup. Ekta is collaborating with TVF for the first time on VvAN, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, and reuniting with Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan for the horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla. She’s also making her Malayalam debut with a film starring Mohanlal.