Smriti Irani Returns as Tulsi in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ Revival, Calls It a Journey of Purpose and Legacy
Actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani has confirmed her much-anticipated return to the iconic role of Tulsi Virani in the upcoming reboot of the legendary Indian television serial “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”, a show that not only catapulted her to national stardom but also helped redefine the landscape of Indian television at the turn of the millennium.
The original series, which aired from 2000 to 2008 on Star Plus, was a groundbreaking family drama that revolved around the lives, values, and struggles of a wealthy Gujarati joint family. The series, created and produced by Ekta Kapoor, quickly grew into a cultural phenomenon and became one of the most-watched and longest-running shows on Indian television, clocking over 1,800 episodes.
On June 3, 2025, the show marked the 25th anniversary of its debut—a testament to its enduring legacy and deep emotional connect with audiences.
As news of the revival gained momentum, an image of Irani dressed in her signature maroon saree, evocative of her character Tulsi’s look from the original show, went viral across social media platforms.
Fans speculated, celebrated, and reminisced, triggering an outpouring of nostalgia. The photograph was widely interpreted as Irani’s first look from the upcoming chapter of Kyunki, which is being revived in a new digital avatar.
Confirming her involvement in the project, Irani issued a heartfelt statement titled, “Some journeys come full circle—not for nostalgia, but for purpose.”
In it, she emphasized that returning to this character after two decades is not simply about reliving the past, but about continuing a narrative that once revolutionized Indian television and deeply influenced her own life trajectory.
“Returning to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is not just a step back into a role,” Irani said, “but a return to a story that redefined Indian television and reshaped my own life.
It gave me more than commercial success—it gave me a connection with millions of homes, a place in the emotional fabric of a generation.”
Irani, who is also a senior BJP leader and former Union Cabinet Minister, spoke about her unique position of having straddled two influential platforms over the past 25 years — media and public policy. Both, she noted, have their own distinctive power and responsibilities, requiring different kinds of commitment.
“Today, I stand at a crossroads where experience meets emotion, and creativity meets conviction,” she said. “I return not just as an actor, but as someone who believes in the power of storytelling to spark change, preserve culture, and build empathy.”
Irani’s return also symbolizes a larger movement within the Indian entertainment industry, where popular shows of the past are being reimagined for digital audiences, bringing nostalgia and relevance together.
According to insiders, the reboot aims to bridge generations—honouring the legacy of the original while infusing it with new storylines and characters that reflect today’s social realities.
The original series starred Irani alongside popular television actors such as Amar Upadhyay, Apara Mehta, and Hiten Tejwani. Their performances and the emotional storytelling helped Kyunki carve out a permanent place in the hearts of viewers, turning characters like Tulsi into household names.
Celebrating the show’s 25-year milestone, Irani had earlier taken to Instagram to share her reflections. In a touching post, she wrote:
“‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ wasn’t just a show—it was emotion, memory, ritual. A time when families paused everything to sit together… cry, laugh, hope. To every viewer who made Tulsi a part of their own family, thank you. This journey wasn’t mine alone. It was ours. And it always will be.”
Ekta Kapoor, the creator and driving force behind the original series, also commemorated the moment with an emotional message. She recalled how, in the early days, no one anticipated the massive cultural impact the show would have.
“It still lives in every beat of my heart. When we started, we never imagined Tulsi would become family to millions. Even today, people remember the title track, the tears, and the emotions it sparked. This milestone belongs to every writer, actor, crew member, and—most of all—every viewer who made Kyunki part of their lives,” Kapoor said.
As details of the reboot continue to unfold, audiences are eager to see how the creators will weave the old and new together.
What is clear, however, is that this revival is more than just a return to television—it is a return to shared memories, collective emotions, and a cultural phenomenon that brought generations together.
