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The long-running debate between so-called “massy” and “classy” content in India just got a lot more personal. Ekta Kapoor, a powerhouse in Indian television, has publicly lashed out at filmmaker Anurag Kashyap for taking a sarcastic dig at popular family dramas, often dubbed “saas-bahu” shows.

Kapoor, known for producing iconic serials that ruled Indian living rooms for decades, took offense to Kashyap’s comments made in response to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ recent admission that launching Netflix India with 'Sacred Games' was a misstep.

Sacred Games or Saas-Bahu? Debate Ignites Online

During a podcast appearance with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, Sarandos reflected on Netflix’s early India strategy. He said, “Our very first Indian original show was Sacred Games... I thought, ‘This is going to be great.’ What I didn’t understand was that we were introducing a brand new kind of entertainment in a country the size of India.” He added that in hindsight, the platform should’ve launched with something “more popular and easy to watch.”

Kashyap, who helmed Sacred Games, responded on Instagram with a sarcastic suggestion that Netflix should have perhaps started with a “saas-bahu” show instead — a remark that didn’t sit well with Kapoor.

“Ur So Dumb…”: Ekta Kapoor’s Blistering Comeback

Reacting via Instagram stories, Ekta Kapoor wrote, “Ur so dumb… saying this put u on an advantage ‘I’m smarter cooler’ but naaaaaaaa! Darling how about gracious!!! N self aware??????”

She further emphasized the cultural impact of Indian family dramas, stating, “‘Saas bahu’ n their impact on Indian masses (how women got a voice in mass India) is well documented by a prestigious Chicago research!” Kapoor criticized the hypocrisy in how some artists promote inclusivity while mocking content that appeals to a broader audience.

“We R Better” Attitude is the Real Problem, Says Ekta

Without naming Kashyap, Kapoor concluded with a message calling out content elitism: “We must do away with this ‘U can’t sit with us we r better’ attitude for democracy n fair play! Love n light to all.”

The clash has stirred an important conversation in the industry — about storytelling, audience diversity, and how both soap operas and edgy web shows serve different, yet significant, cultural purposes.