Actor turned politician Smriti Irani is all set to return to the television screens with the much-awaited reboot of the iconic show ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’.
In the first look of the actor as Tulsi Virani, leaked on Monday, Smriti was seen wearing a maroon saree adorned with a rich zari border. She completed her look with the signature big red bindi, traditional temple jewellery, and a black-beaded mangalsutra. The reboot season of the show will also mark Smriti’s return to acting after 15 years.
Smriti herself opened up about returning to Ekta Kapoor’s show under Balaji Films. In an official statement, the actress said that she is not just returning as an actor, but as someone who believes in the power of storytelling.
Talking about her return, Smriti said, “Some journeys come full circle — not for nostalgia, but for purpose. Returning to ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ is not just a step back into a role, 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.”
The statement read, “In the 25 years since, I’ve straddled two powerful platforms-media and public policy-each with its own impact, each demanding a different kind of commitment. Today, I stand at a crossroads where experience meets emotion, and creativity meets conviction.”
Smriti 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. In contributing to this next chapter, I hope to honour the legacy of Kyunki — and help shape a future where India’s creative industries aren’t just celebrated, but truly empowered.”
One of the most influential and successful Indian soap operas of all time produced by Ekta, the show, spanning over 1,800 episodes, aired on Star Plus from July 3, 2000 to November 6, 2008. It revolved around an ideal daughter-in-law, Tulsi (Smriti), the daughter of a pandit married to the grandson of business tycoon Govardhan Virani (Amar Upadhyay/ Ronit Roy). The most successful serial of its time, it not only garnered double-digit TRPs for six years, but also marked a turning point for both Smriti and Ekta.
The long-awaited comeback of the show will again see Smriti reprising her role as Tulsi and Amar Upadhyay as Mihir. The show was initially scheduled to premiere on July 3, but its production hit a slight delay.
A few days ago, Smriti shared a picture and a note on her Instagram account, which read, “25 years ago, a story entered Indian homes and quietly became part of countless lives. 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.”