Latest news with #Smriti
Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: Ektaa Kapoor reveals Shobha Kapoor spotted Smriti Irani in a show; says 'My mom told me there is this girl who looks like Twinkle Khanna'
The wait of ardent fans Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is over as the show returns after 25 years with a new season. The season 2 of the iconic hit show marks the comeback of Smriti Irani to acting and small screen and also brings back the hit pair of Mihir and Tulsi Virani. As the show went on-air at the 10:30 PM slot, Ektaa Kapoor and Smriti Irani came live on the official Instagram page of the channel airing the show. The Producer and actor duo recalled fond memories of the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and revealed interesting anecdotes. Smriti Irani Is Back as Tulsi! #KyunkiSaasReboot Premieres July 29 While talking about Kyunki, Ektaa Kapoor revealed the story behind casting Smriti Irani. She shared how her mom Shobha Kapoor spotted Smriti in a TV show and called up Ektaa to cast her in Kyunki. Ektaa revealed, "Meri mom ne Smriti ko ek show mein dekha tha aur bola the ke ye ek ladki maine show mein dekha bahot he khubsurat ladki hai aur woh mujhe bahot pasand aayi hai." (My mom saw Smriti in a show and said, 'I saw this girl in a show… she's really beautiful and I really liked her.) Smriti interrupted Ektaa and shared that the show was on the same channel which is currently airing Kyunki and she had replaced Ektaa's close friend Neelam Kothari for an episode. She said, "Aur woh show bhi same channel par tha aur uss show mein maine aapki friend Neelam Kothari joh hai woh uss din bimar thi toh aa nahi paayin thi toh maine unka replacement kiya tha." (And that show was also on the same channel. On that day, your friend Neelam Kothari couldn't make it because she was unwell, so I stepped in as her replacement. ) Praising Smriti Ektaa responded, "I don't know what you had done back then but I mom had completely gone crazy after watching you. My mom is actually a big fan of Twinkle Khanna and she called me up and said there is this girl who looks like Twinkle Khanna and she is so beautiful, so please cast her. So everyone thought I cast you for Kyunki but it was my mom who saw you and was like mujhe ye ladki bahot pasand hai... and what a face." Ektaa continued, "Then Smriti came for the auditions, she was very slim, quiet and shy. She auditioned for the show and gave such a sweet smile at the end of it." Smriti reacted to her audition story and added, "Aur woh audition Ektaa ko chodh ke kisi ko pasand nahi aaya... sabne bola ye ladki."
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Amar Upadhyay reveals Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi will run for 10 months to a year: ‘Mihir has changed a bit, but his relation with Tulsi is the same'
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 returns to television tonight, 25 years after the original first aired. As the show returns, lead actor Amar Upadhyay, who reprises his role as Mihir Virani, spoke exclusively to SCREEN about his character, the changes in the latest installment of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and his co-star Smriti Irani. Amar admitted he was in complete disbelief when the team at Balaji Telefilms reached out to him once again for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. He shared, 'I thought Tanu was joking, because there hadn't been any buzz about Kyunki before she called. Out of the blue, she called me to block my dates, and I asked who was playing Tulsi. She said Smriti and I asked, 'Does she have time? She is busy in politics.' I didn't believe her for the first five minutes, because it had been such a big show. Bringing it back is a big deal for Star Plus, Balaji, and all of us. It's a big responsibility. The kind of TRPs the show saw was unbelievable. It had a rating of 32; we had overtaken KBC in the first three months of release.' Talking about the excitement around Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, the actor said, 'The Gen-Z is also excited and wants to see the show first-hand. They want to know what the fuss was all about, why their parents or grandparents were so crazy about this show. The font and the name are so nostalgic, then the music plays and it takes you back.' Also Read: Ekta Kapoor finds comparison between Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Anupamaa 'unfair': 'That's in such bad taste, They'll continue to be number 1' Amar Upadhyay is sharing screen space with Smriti Irani after 25 years in the Ekta Kapoor show. Reflecting on working with Smriti again, Amar said it felt as if he were meeting Tulsi all over again, just as she was 25 years ago, 'We lived as Mihir-Tulsi then, and we look superb together. She is very friendly, smart, and a great actor. We started where we left. This time when we met, she looked exactly like the Smriti I met back then. There is a slight difference, but she looks really good now. We have shot about 5-6 episodes, and she looks superb.' Sharing what the audience can expect from the new season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Amar revealed, 'The times have changed. So we have change accordingly. The boys and girls are different, the house is different, but the essence remains the same. The family values are intact. Smriti is just as she was with the kids, and Mihir is unchanged too. All of that will bring back the same old feeling, now with a fresh twist. The show has also been modernized.' A post shared by StarPlus (@starplus) Talking about his character Mihir, Amar added, 'Mihir is a bit changed in the way he moves around. He is a big businessman now. In season 1, he had done his MBA and returned to India to join his father's business. Now he is a very big businessman, busy exploring new business ideas. I have an angle there also, where he has gotten success and has gotten too big. But Smriti and my relation is just the way it was. The new kids come in, and with them, we have some differences, which is a different track altogether.' Amar Updahyay also revealed that Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 will be a finite show this time. He said, 'While the buzz is strong, so far it looks like a finite series as far as I know. Maybe the show will run for a maximum of 10 months to a year.' Other than Amar, Smriti Irani, Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan, Shakti Anand, Ketki Dave, and Kamalika Guha Thakurta, the new actors who have joined the show are Rohit Suchanti, Aman Gandhi, and Shagun Sharma. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 airs on TV from July 29 at 10:30 pm on Star Plus. Nawaz Kochra is an enthusiastic entertainment journalistic for the last 9 years, he has been a known face and successfully worked with some big publications. At Nawaz majorly covers TV and OTT and also does video interviews. Having the best conversations with celebrities is what Nawaz loves. ... Read More
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘She is lying': What Smriti Irani's miscarriage experience during Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi shoot reveals about work culture and the need for compassion
Smriti Irani recently revisited one of the most painful and challenging moments of her life: working through a miscarriage while shooting for the hit daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She recalled continuing to work on set despite dealing with physical pain and emotional trauma. 'My son was three days old when I came back to the set of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Why? Because everyone wanted to watch a new episode daily at 10:30 pm,' she shared on Raj Shamani's podcast. The actor and politician also revealed the distress of being doubted at such a vulnerable time. 'Somebody in the production went and told Ekta, 'We're ready to shoot. But Smriti Irani isn't available. She is lying. Nothing has actually happened to her.' So I had to go back with my hospital reports to prove it actually happened,' she said. Actor Apara Mehta, who played Smriti's on-screen mother-in-law, corroborated how demanding the work culture was during those years. 'I know Smriti spoke about the miscarriage… I know it for a fact ki use aana bhi pada hoga and karna bhi pada hoga,' she told Hindustan Times, recalling how actors would often be made to shoot from home even while sick, with makeshift backdrops and makeup. Psychologist Anjali Gursahaney tells 'After a miscarriage, a woman's body undergoes several intense physical changes. These can include cramping, heavy bleeding, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue, and in some cases, medical interventions like a dilation and curettage (D&C). The uterus needs time to contract and return to its pre-pregnancy state, while the hormonal system gradually resets, which can also affect mood, appetite, and energy levels.' Rest is critical during this time, not just for physical recovery, she says, but also because pushing through the pain or fatigue can worsen the trauma, delay healing, and lead to long-term complications. Ignoring these needs can be damaging both physically and psychologically. According to Gursahaney, emotional support after a miscarriage should be 'rooted in empathy, validation, and flexibility.' The experience often involves deep grief, shame, or confusion—especially if the loss was not publicly acknowledged. If someone has to return to work soon after, they must be met with understanding rather than expectation. 'Ideally, they should have access to mental health resources like counselling, as well as compassionate communication from colleagues and supervisors. Just being believed, respected, and not asked to justify or 'perform' their pain can go a long way in easing emotional distress during such a vulnerable time,' notes the expert. Workplaces should implement compassionate leave policies specifically for pregnancy loss, separate from generic sick leave. These policies must acknowledge both the physical and emotional toll of miscarriage, without requiring invasive proof. 'Training managers to respond with empathy and confidentiality, and creating space for women to share only what they are comfortable with, can help foster trust. Open conversations about reproductive health and trauma-informed practices can slowly dismantle the silence and stigma that often forces women to either hide their loss or justify it. The goal should be to create a culture where healing is prioritized over productivity,' stresses Gursahaney.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Ektaa Kapoor Reacts To Anupamaa And Kyunki Comparison: 'Pitting Women Against Each Other Is So…'
Ektaa Kapoor reacts to comparisons between Kyunki 2 and Anupamaa, calling them unfair and unnecessary. Says pitting women or content against each other is in bad taste. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi's second season is all set to premiere tomorrow, on July 29. With the very announcement of the show's return, fans have been saying that this could be a threat to the Rupali Ganguly-led, number one TRP-holding show, Anupamaa. Now, as the release date of Kyunki inches closer, Ektaa Kapoor has reacted to this unfair comparison between the two shows. In an interview with Brut, Kapoor said, 'Yesterday, I was seeing some videos about Anupamaa having a problem with Kyunki's coming. I felt that was such bad taste. She (Rupali Ganguly) is such a big star. Anupamaa, the show, Rajan, the creator, have done what nobody else could do in the last 7 years. They continue to be number 1, and they should continue to be number 1. We are coming with our purpose to tell our story." 'These unfair comparisons between lead characters and lead shows are so unnecessary. I think pitting women against each other, pitting content against each other, is so uncalled for," the filmmaker-producer added. Meanwhile, earlier today, ahead of the show's grand release, the dynamic duo, Ektaa and Smriti, visited the Nathdwara Temple in Udaipur, Rajasthan, to seek blessings, marking the auspicious occasion of Sawan ka Somvaar. In the pictures circulating online, Ektaa and Smriti can be seen interacting with temple priests and other workers. While Smriti was seen wearing a pink printed saree paired with a matching blouse, Ektaa Kapoor was dressed in a white embroidered kurta set. Both Ektaa and Smriti had orange dupattas around their necks as they visited the temple. The two offered prayers and sought blessings for their upcoming show. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi holds a special place in Indian television history. First aired in 2000, the show became a cultural phenomenon with its rich storytelling, unforgettable characters, and emotional depth. Returning with a fresh narrative while staying true to its roots, fans are not just looking forward to the story but are also emotionally invested in seeing their beloved Tulsi back on screen. First Published: July 28, 2025, 18:03 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Smriti Irani recalls time when she had to prove miscarriage to Kyunki makers
Actor-politician Smriti Irani has never hesitated to speak candidly about her personal and professional hardships. Recently, the actress-turned-politician opened up about the difficulties - particularly her miscarriage - she faced during her time on 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' and her talk show 'Kuch Dil Se'.Appearing on YouTuber Raj Shamani's podcast, Smriti revealed that she resumed work just three days after giving birth to her son. 'My son was three days old when I returned to the set of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. Why? Because audiences expected a new episode every evening at 10:30 pm,' she also shared a heartbreaking account of continuing to film after suffering a miscarriage. While producer Ravi Chopra granted her a week's leave, Ektaa Kapoor couldn't allow extended time off due to the show's daily schedule. Smriti recounted, 'Someone from production went to Ektaa and said, 'We're ready to shoot, but Smriti Irani isn't coming. She's lying; nothing has happened to her.' So I had to return with my hospital documents to prove it had.' At the height of her television career, Smriti was among the highest-paid actors, yet faced further setbacks. While hospitalised after giving birth, she was abruptly replaced on her SAB TV talk show, 'Kuch Dil Se', despite having pre-recorded enough episodes to cover a one-month maternity break.'I was working right up until the last day of my ninth month. I'd been asked to record a bank of 30 episodes and return after a month,' she recalled. In spite of her doctors' and family's concerns, she kept filming both shows to pay off her home loan more came the shocking news. 'I was in hospital after giving birth and received a message: 'You're fired.' I'd just filmed the previous day. They waited for me to be hospitalised before informing me. They used my pre-recorded episodes to ease in a replacement,' she response was composed. 'They brought in a film actor, more prominent, with a bigger public image. But the show was cancelled and never returned,' she years later, Smriti Irani is set to return to the small screen with the new version of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. The show premieres on StarPlus from July 29 and will also be available on JioHotstar.- EndsMust Watch
