Ekta Kapoor has decided to make her tumultuous climb to the position of telly tycoon into a soap on Star One. Chuckles Kapoor, "I think it's a very cute soap, because the story takes off in a way that's quite similar to my own life."

The serial is called Kannu Ki Kismat Mein Kya Hai. "I'm quite like Kannu," says Kapoor.

"She's supposed to be exactly the way I was in my pre-television days. Kannu's family thinks she has no career to look forward to.

While her two sisters are hotshot models, Kannu is professionally unhappening — the kind of daughter parents feel would only make wife-mother material.

Like me, Kannu has no interest in doing anything spectacular with her life. I was pretty sure I'd make nothing of my life. I too was happy being a nobody."

Is Kapoor going to play herself? "Nooooo! Not me," she drawls. "I haven't done the casting yet. First, I need to get Kkavyanjali (Star Plus) on the road.

Then I need to work on Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai for Sony which goes on air on March 10. I also have another show on Star One called Karbon Kopy. In all, I've five shows going on air in the next few months."

Incidentally, Kapoor has given up the fight to go against the expected. "I can't go against my brand. Besides it's a family serial which gets the whole nation hooked.

I tried to do something different in soaps like Kahani Terri Merri and Kehna Hai Kuch Mujhko, but they didn't work! Obviously my audience expects a certain kind of entertainment from me, and I'll give them that."

The Kapoor season began with Kkavyanjali (Star Plus) which went on air on January 25.

"Kavyanjali is my homage to the cinema of Karan Johar. I'm a big fan of his films. It's a very critical show for me. There's a lot of hope attached to Kavyanjali.

"Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi took 20 episodes to get going. The 9.30 slot is even more important than the 10 pm slot. I can't afford to let viewers down with this one. In fact, I had another serial ready to go on air on Star One. But to me, the soap on Star Plus was more important.

Adds Kapoor, "As for my top three soaps, a major time transition is happening in Kasauti Zindagi Kay this week. It's time for the next generation of characters. My time has come again. I've never been busier."