Hinduphobia in Bollywood: Ektaa Kapoor recalls being mocked for tilak, temple visits

Ektaa Kapoor told Ranveer Allahabadia that Hindu symbols, folklore and mythology still invite judgement. Her remarks framed Vvaan as part of her effort to take rooted narratives to wider audiences.

In Short

• Vvaan draws from folklore and seeks to bring rooted narratives wider
• She welcomed television comparisons, calling it India's staple food for audiences
• Religious storytelling remains accepted in animation but faces wider discomfort

Producer Ektaa Kapoor has spoken about what she described as "so much of Hinduphobia" in the industry, saying that wearing religious symbols and discussing Hindu folklore and mythology can still invite judgement.

During a recent conversation with Ranveer Allahabadia on The Ranveer Show, the Balaji Telefilms head spoke about her latest film, The Vvaan, which draws from folklore. She said she was happy when people compared the film's look to a television serial, calling television "the staple food of India."

Speaking about the film's subject, Ektaa said, "We have so much of, I am going to say it on camera, Hinduphobia. And we have so much of phobia with what do we call...we are okay with animation, but we are not okay with discussing folklore and mythology."

She added that she was comfortable bringing such stories to the screen and wanted people to become more accepting of them.

Ektaa also recalled facing judgement for wearing religious symbols when she was younger. “When I used to wear a tika, when I was younger, I remember somebody called me, like, ‘Why you dress like a freak?’ I said, wearing a tika and wearing a dhaaga is dressed like a freak?," she said.

During the conversation, Allahabadia pointed out that people had also called her a tantrik. Ektaa responded by saying that wearing a tilak and openly expressing one's religious beliefs could be seen as a problem.

She also recalled going to a club after visiting a temple. When someone asked her whether she had been to a temple, she replied, “Yeah. What's so shocking?”

Allahabadia observed that times were changing, to which Ektaa agreed. The producer said she had been ahead of her time in some ways, adding that she was now embracing a more contemporary outlook.

The conversation touched on her approach to filmmaking and the reception of stories rooted in Indian folklore, with Ektaa expressing support for bringing such narratives to a wider audience.

Ekta Kapoor’s The Vvaan, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, was released in cinemas on September 25, 2026. It has recorded a worldwide gross collection of around Rs 90 crore and is still running in theatres.

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