India, July 18 -- Continued from p 01 W hile the show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT), enjoyed a historic initial run, Ektaa R Kapoor is clear-eyed about the pressure that comes with its legacy, but she's undeterred. "No one wants to step down from the nostalgia they created and put themselves to the test again," she admits. "But Smriti (Irani) and the channel said, 'Let's create an impact property. Let's build a strong story instead of chasing only ratings. Let's entertain without being preachy.' That's the power we're looking forward to exercising with this story. We're not here to compete, we want to coexist," she says. At a time when much of the TV audience has shifted to OTT, Ektaa's return to the small screen raises eyebrows. Ask her about it, and she's quick to respond: "Television will always be my first love. It has deeper penetration than the internet. Online, there's a lot of noise, but it's scattered. TV has the power to bring families, and mindsets, together." Critics often label Indian television content as regressive, with shows like KSBKBT cited as examples. Ektaa pushes back: "Telling a woke story to a woke audience is no big deal. The enlightened are already enlightened. The real impact comes from reaching the masses, being relatable, talking about their issues and then pushing the envelope. We've addressed themes like domestic violence, marital rape, euthanasia, and age shaming. Families discussed those issues together. That's what we hope to do again, entertain, unite, and make people think."...