KINGDOM OF THE SOAP QUEEN

The early 1990s: Doordarshan has had a monopoly over the air waves for a decade with epic programs like Ramayan Mahabharat and Hum Log. The government has passed a series of economic and social reforms allowing private and foreign broadcasters to begin operations in India. With the entry of cable television in 1992 the industry is poised for a gigantic leap. All that it needs is a fairy godmother to wave the magic wand and it finds one in Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms. Kingdom of the Soap Queen is the enchanting narrative of Balaji Telefilms. It is the fairy tale of how a laid-back seventeen-year-old metamorphosed into one of the most powerful women in global media how a teenage project kicks tarted by her mother in her father's garage turned into the biggest entertainment provider across India and like every fairy tale this too has its share of magic curses spells potions and pixie dust. An epic tale that is even more juicy and suspense-ridden than any of the production house's 100-odd soap operas Kingdom of the Soap Queen showcases the journey that is Balaji. Kovid Gupta who has written for popular television shows Balika Vadhu Bade Acche Lagte Hain and Chhan Chhan brings to life the saga of a family that has found a place for itself in the televisions of 138 million Indian drawing rooms. This is the story behind the 15000 hours of television software that have made India laugh and cry for fifteen years.