"That's because we've decided to make soaps for the Gulf countries. As it is, they watch pirated versions of our Indian soaps, so I decided, why not make serials separately for the Muslim world?"
Making Ekta's new brain-wave relatively easy was the fact that her super-popular Gujarati culture-specific soaps like Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi are easily translatable into a Muslim ambience.
Reveals Ekta, "Whether it's a Gujarati business family or a Muslim business family, the themes are interchangeable. But the characters and their names clothes and environment are variable.
Think of how popular these Gulf-produced serials would be when my Kyunkis and Kasautis are so popular in Pakistan and the Gulf countries.
By making Muslim Socials I'll have the entire Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern population watching my soaps. We hope to have 2-3 soaps on air in 2008 from our Gulf office," says Ekta.
"It's a new and bold step for us. I love challenges. What's life without them. "