Latest news with #KyunkiSaansBhiKabhiBahuThi
India Today
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kyunki is a side project: Smriti Irani says she is a full-time politician
Smriti Irani, well-known for her dual career as an actor and politician, is set to return to television in the reboot of the popular show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. In an interview with NDTV, Irani emphasised that while she is excited about reprising her role as Tulsi Virani, her main focus remains her political career. "It ['Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi]' is a side project," Irani stated, highlighting her commitment to politics rather than acting. She entered politics two decades ago and is currently a key figure in the Bharatiya Janata explained her decision to return to acting as a part-time endeavour, similar to other politicians who juggle multiple roles. She remarked, "I am, very humbly so, the most recognisable face out of that mix of people, but I am a full-time politician and a part-time actor." Her statement reflects the balance she maintains between her responsibilities in the political arena and her interest in reboot of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' is set to air later this month, with Irani addressing criticisms of the show head-on. She dismissed detractors who claimed the original show glamourised outdated social norms. "Couldn't care less, because the criticism was not constructive or informed," Irani said, defending the show's legacy of tackling significant social issues. According to Irani, the series has previously addressed themes such as marital rape, adult literacy, and euthanasia - topics which mainstream cinema often shied away from at the time. "The show spoke about marital rape 25 years show spoke about euthanasia 25 years ago. Those were issues that were not even touched by mainstream cinema, and we did it commercially in a television slot which was meant for family viewing," she noted, pointing out that these were groundbreaking narratives for called the show progressive and said it discussed issues like pay parity, stating, "One's talent and not gender decided how much one will get paid. Ektaa [Kapoor] was given 10:30 slot, which was a dead slot, and we created prime time." The show, which initially aired in a late-night slot, gained popularity and eventually became a prime-time stint in the 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot has created a significant buzz already. While not much about the show's story is revealed yet, it is set to premiere on Star Plus at 10:30 pm on July 29. It will also simultaneously run on Disney+Hotstar.- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Smriti Irani calls Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi a ‘side project': ‘I am a part-time actor, full time politician'
Smriti Irani is all set to make a comeback on the small screen with the second season of her iconic television show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. In a recent interview, the actor-politician opened up about managing both the careers. While describing herself as a full-time politician and a part-time actor, Smriti called the TV show a 'side project'. While talking to NDTV, she said, 'Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is a side project. For most consumers, the project is not one individual, it's always a group of actors coming together. A group of writers coming together. I am, very humbly so, the most recognisable face out of that mix of people but I am a full time politician and a part-time actor. Just like many politicians who are part-time lawyers, part-time teachers, part-time journalists. I just happen to be doing it simultaneously, which is difficult to grasp. I am just the one in the spotlight.' ALSO READ | 'We broke the so-called glass ceiling…I am paid more than the male actor': Smriti Irani on pay parity while shooting Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi; how to ask for it Smriti Irani further shared that she is unbothered by people who say that Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi promotes patriarchal values. 'Couldn't care less, because the criticism was not constructive or informed. The show spoke about marital rape 25 years ago. The show about adult literacy 25 years ago. The show spoke about euthanasia 25 years ago. Those were issues that were not even touched by mainstream cinema, and we did it commercially in a television slot which was meant for family viewing. One needs to understand 25 years there was nothing called pay parity. We brought pay parity where one's talent and not gender decided how much one would get paid. Ektaa Kapoor was given 10:30 slot, which was a dead slot and we created prime time.' Talking about how she feels about making a comeback on screen, Smriti expressed, 'For a 49 year old to have a 25 year run, not only in media, but also politics… That is a blessed run, because in our country's history, never has somebody managed to, with God's blessings, managed to be successful in both these very competitive fields. And more so, if you're a woman to be at the top of the game continuously for two and a half decades in media and politics is no mean feat. But that is also somewhere where destiny and luck has had a role to play.' Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi will air from July 29 at 10.30 pm on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
India Today
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
TV's leading ladies take the lead in pay parity battle
Ever since actor Deepika Padukone walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Spirit', citing concerns over work hours and remuneration, the issue of fair pay has taken centre stage. Her decision sparked a larger conversation, empowering many to speak up and demand a much-needed revision in their fee structures. While Bollywood still grapples with this situation, the scenario is not the same on you read that right! Tables have turned when it comes to remuneration in the world of television. Gone are the days when TV was dismissed as the "small screen." Today, television productions rival Bollywood not just in scale, but also in budgets and actor salaries. While there is ongoing debate about whether TV actors deserve such high pay, it's undeniable that they work under intense conditions, for more days each month, and sometimes portray the same character for years, even a the highest-paid actors in the television space are largely women, with names like Rupali Ganguly, Divyanka Tripathi, Sakshi Tanwar, and Ankita Lokhande topping the list. Do you remember Smriti Irani in 'Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'? Her character, Tulsi, became iconic, and her popularity undeniably drove the show's massive success, giving her immense bargaining power. Fresh out of modelling and making her debut, Irani gave tough competition to all her Deepti Sadhwani, who was a part of 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', stated that Indian television shows have always been female-driven and that their role in the same defined their negotiation talking to exclusively, she cited past examples and said, 'Women have always had certain leverage in television, especially when their character plays a crucial role in the storyline. If makers believe that removing a female lead will negatively impact TRPs, they know they'll have to negotiate and meet her demands. However, if they feel they can write her off, kill her character, or replace her through a plastic surgery twist without affecting viewership, they won't hesitate to make that move.'There have been instances in the past where shows with a strong fan base struggled on the ratings charts after replacing their popular female Shinde's fan following as Angoori Bhabhi in 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' was unparalleled. Her quirky charm and comic timing made the character iconic and a household name. However, things took a toss for the team after she was replaced with Shubhangi Atre, leaving several fans expressing their disapproval and disappointment. While they were still struggling with Shilpa's exit, another shocker came for fans when actor Disha Vakani, who played the role of Dayaben on 'Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah', left the show for her maternity break. Since then, fans have been demanding her to such examples, Sadhwani remarked how 'Kyunkii Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' always played around the male characters while keeping the story intact around the female protagonist.'Take the example of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Mihir ki kitni baar plastic surgery hui thi (Mihir's character was recast multiple times) whereas Smriti Irani's role as Tulsi was only replaced once. And now, years later, she's returning for the second season. That wouldn't have happened if her portrayal hadn't left such a lasting impact,' she further shared how a show's popularity often rests on the shoulders of its female lead.'In Anupamaa, Rupali Ganguly is the undisputed hero of the show. The makers might change the actors opposite her, but replacing her isn't an option because she drives the TRPs. Ultimately, it all comes down to how much value you bring to a show,' Sadhwani instances highlight that a show's TRP and popularity are mainly dependent on female Madhura Naik, who has been a part of shows like 'Pyaar Ki Ye Ek Kahaani', 'Forever Yours' and more, begged to differ and had a different story to share. The actor told that she faced pay disparity, which resulted in her backing out of a popular personally encountered this on multiple occasions throughout my career. In fact, I made the difficult decision to step away from 'Tumhari Paakhi' because I was not granted a justified raise, while my co-star Iqbal Khan was being remunerated considerably more. This was despite the fact that Shraddha Arya and I were equally instrumental in driving the show's TRPs.'And that's not all! The actor added that this isn't the first time she's faced such treatment. Despite contributing to the industry in multiple ways, Nayak revealed there has always been a noticeable disparity when it came to recognising and compensating her talent.'At several occasions, I felt I was being paid less. It was quite clear that despite contributing equally to a show's success, there was often a significant gap in compensation. And while one learns to navigate these challenges with grace, it does leave you questioning the fairness of it all,' she females shouldering the responsibilities and working at par with men on the screen, TV has now finally acknowledged their contribution. Despite being the driving force, there have been moments when the actors felt that they were underpaid even when they worked harder or had more screen time than their male things are finally beginning to change. More and more women in the industry are now speaking up, demanding fair pay, and making sure their efforts are we still try to go deeper into the issue, actor Prachi Tehlan, known for TV shows like 'Ikyawan' and her work in South cinema, shared her optimism about the shifting narrative.'Thankfully, the narrative is slowly shifting. Many leading ladies are now voicing their worth and negotiating based on their experience and contribution. It's empowering to see women in the industry standing up for equal pay and pushing for what they rightfully deserve. Change may be gradual, but it's certainly happening,' Tehlan told it comes to remuneration in the entertainment industry, there's often more than meets the eye. While experience and popularity undeniably play a role, the factors that influence how much an actor is paid can be complex and we believe that women are the face of television, actor Hiten Tejwani enlightened us with several factors that could lead to women facing disparity.'There could be several reasons, you know. One of the main ones, as far as I can guess, is popularity, how well-known you are, the number of shows or films you've done, things like that. That could be a factor.'So, the conversation around pay parity in television is long overdue but finally gaining momentum. However, with more female actors now taking a stand, backed by strong examples of their value both on screen and on ratings charts, the tides are clearly Watch
