Indian cinema is currently seeing a strong rise in films inspired by mythology and folklore. Movies rooted in ancient stories, beliefs, and legends are finally getting the attention they deserve. While this trend became popular recently with films like Kantara, Brahmastra, and the upcoming Ramayana, producer Ekta Kapoor had thought of exploring Indian folklore much earlier with her idea of Naagin.
In a recent interview, Ekta Kapoor revealed that Naagin was not originally meant to be a television show. In fact, she wanted to make it as a feature film with big Bollywood stars. However, the plan did not work out, and the project eventually took the TV route—where it went on to become one of the most successful shows in Indian television history.
Speaking in an interview, Ekta Kapoor shared her thoughts on how Indian audiences often celebrate Western superhero films but ignore their own rich storytelling traditions. She said that mythology and folklore are deeply rooted in Indian culture, passed down through generations by grandparents and elders. Stories like that of a shape-shifting naagin are familiar to almost every Indian household.
Ekta pointed out that while people happily watch characters like Batman and Superman, they sometimes fail to support stories based on Indian legends. According to her, this mindset is slowly changing now, but it took many years for Indian folklore to be taken seriously on the big screen.
Ekta Kapoor revealed that when she first planned Naagin as a film, she approached two top actresses. One of them agreed to the project, while the other refused. Although Ekta did not name them in her recent interview, she had earlier clarified that Priyanka Chopra was the one who said yes, while Katrina Kaif turned it down.
Ekta shared that Katrina was unsure whether audiences would accept a film called Naagin in modern times. On the other hand, Priyanka Chopra liked the idea but soon left for Hollywood, which is why the film could not be made.
Later, Ekta clarified that there was no bitterness involved. She praised both actresses and said they simply did not fully realise the scale and power of Indian folklore back then.
After the film idea failed, Ekta Kapoor decided to adapt Naagin into a television series. The show premiered in 2015 with Mouni Roy in the lead role and quickly became a massive hit. It connected strongly with audiences and ran for multiple seasons. As of now, Naagin has completed six seasons and is currently airing its seventh one.
The show proved that Indian folklore, when presented in an engaging way, can attract massive viewership and cultural impact Years later, filmmaker Nikhil Dwivedi announced that Naagin would finally be made as a film, with Shraddha Kapoor playing the lead. The project was announced as a trilogy and aims to explore the deeper mythology behind the shape-shifting serpent woman.
Shraddha Kapoor expressed her excitement about the project and shared that she grew up admiring legendary films like Nagina and Nigahen, starring Sridevi. She called the role a dream come true and a tribute to Indian folklore.
Looking back, it is interesting to imagine what Bollywood’s folklore journey might have looked like if Priyanka Chopra had played Naagin on the big screen. However, the massive success of the television series and the renewed interest in folklore-based cinema suggest that Ekta Kapoor’s idea was simply ahead of its time.
Today, as Indian audiences become more open to mythological and folklore-driven stories, Naagin stands as a reminder that homegrown legends can be just as powerful as global superheroes—if not more.