She’s often referred to as the small screen’s czarina, and of late, she seems to be on a mission to conquer Bollywood as well. Filmmaker Ekta Kapoor is growing from strength to strength with each of her film releases. Her recent film with actor Vidya Balan in a pivotal role has Ekta grinning like a Cheshire cat, saying it pays to take risks.We caught up with her whilst she was talking of the generation leap on her show on Zee TV.

“I always have been doing what I believe in. Many thought I was stupid to invest time, money in something like a Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi or even in something as the recent The Dirty Picture, but, I guess, I understand somewhere what an audience likes to.I am happy to listen to my heart,” she says.

She seems to specialise in making soaps and flicks around romance and relationships, but what’s her take on them in real life? What about her marriage plans? “I am very much single and absolutely ready to mingle. But then where are all the good guys?” smirks Ekta. “All the good guys are either married or committed. What can I do besides waiting? I never plan anything in my personal life, God does that for me. So if he has planned that I marry tomorrow, I will, if not, then I will have to wait till the time comes,” she adds.

As an afterthought, Ekta adds that in fact she’s in a relationship that’s more sacred than any marriage or affair. “Mum and my bond is an epic love story. I am nothing without her. I will just crumble if she isn’t there for me. People have this misconception that I am a very strong girl, but the truth is I am a weakling. I get the energy from mom.”

Ekta revealsfurther that though her dad, actor Jeetendra loves her more, she’s a total mama’s girl. “Though she pampers Tushar more than me, and I know that my dad loves me more, I am still a complete mama’s girl. We fight more than we talk. But I can chat on any topic with her. Like I can watch a Dirty Picture with my mom, but not with dad. Even my show on Zee TV,Pavitra Rishta showsa mother-daughter bond being stronger than any relationship,” she said.