Latest news with #TulsiVirani
Mint
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: Smriti Irani's Tulsi Virani returns to Shanti Niketan in new promo
Star Plus just dropped a much-awaited new promo of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, marking the return of Smriti Irani as Tulsi Virani in Shanti Niketan. With the release of the rebooted version of the show just days away on July 29 at 10:30 pm, this new promo video has ignited a fresh wave of enthusiasm for the show among the fans.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Express News Quiz: Samosa, jalebi and cola
Welcome to The Indian Express' weekly news quiz. You know the drill — there are 10 quiz questions below, woven around major events from India and the world. Your job is to sniff out the answers while being mindful of the timer. Any score above 80 will be commendable. Good luck, and see you on the other side! Before you try our other games, a look at the rich stories that couldn't make it into the quiz this week: Eight babies born with DNA from three people in the UK: Are designer babies a breakthrough or risk? | Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is set to return: What Tulsi Virani can learn from Smriti Irani | Why a Muslim Filipino group reveres the Ramayana: Interview with Professor Rhodora Magan More from Express Puzzles & Games BEGINNERS | The IE Mini Crossword, made with Indian English MEDIUM | Digital Sudoku with pen, pencil and checking tools EXPERT | Chess strategy puzzle: find best moves, solve trivia Aishwarya Khosla is a journalist currently serving as Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. Her writings examine the interplay of culture, identity, and politics. She began her career at the Hindustan Times, where she covered books, theatre, culture, and the Punjabi diaspora. Her editorial expertise spans the Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Online desks. She was the recipient of the The Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections, where she studied political campaigns, policy research, political strategy and communications for a year. She pens The Indian Express newsletter, Meanwhile, Back Home. Write to her at or You can follow her on Instagram: @ink_and_ideology, and X: @KhoslaAishwarya. ... Read More
India Today
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Why the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot must be more of today, less of 2000
That 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' is coming back with a reboot version is yesterday's news. That Smriti Irani is happy reprising her iconic role as Tulsi Virani is also yesterday's news. What's new is the one question: What's new in the show this time?Ekta Kapoor, in her long note on social media, asserted that 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot will give "voice to women", "inspire", and "spark conversation." She called the new show "inclusive", and that's precisely what will make it relevant and interesting for the audience is important to note that a large part of the audience has moved away from television, especially the millennials, who were a prime target audience for the original 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' in the early 2000s. They are now hooked to platforms like Netflix, Prime Video and JioHotstar, eager to discover new titles that reflect global aspirations and tell universally relevant stories. Selling 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' to them again seems like a tough call - not impossible, but certainly challenging. So, what does 'Kyunki' need to get right this time? What can it show to attract an audience that has increasingly moved to iPads and phones from television sets? And more importantly, how can the show magnify some of the progressive themes it barely scratched the surface in its original run?'Kyunki' ruled Indian television for eight long years for a reason. Apart from its glamour, the ever-expanding world of television back then also drew audiences in. Where else could one find everyday entertainment and escape if not the idiot box? Theatres were there, yes. But not everyday viewing. TV was better, accessible, affordable, and gave people control. It also encouraged group viewing.'Kyunki', as its creators often say, brought families together. It aired at 10:30 pm, when most Indian families were either having dinner or had just finished eating. It provided them with an opportunity to wind down the day - with drama and basic appeal of the show - providing a community viewing experience - needs to be retained. The idea is to bring back nostalgia. And while people may have moved on and shifted to other mediums of entertainment, it is essential for the 'Kyunki' reboot to at least attempt to offer content that resonates across age the show really needs to evolve is in showcasing a shift in India's cultural conversation. The reboot must introduce layered narratives - plural, not singular - that assist the progressive mindsets of the audience, and not take them 25 years back to when the show first have grown up, and are still figuring out adulting. 'Kyunki' has to mirror their dilemmas. An entire generation today grapples with the ideas of marriage and situationships, and the show needs to address these realities to stay your parents watching a show that helps them understand homosexuality, explains why not getting married is normal, or shows that considering adoption is not a taboo. A show where coming out of an abusive marriage is not seen as a sign of weakness, where staying alone doesn't mean loneliness, and being a single mother is a conscious, valid imagine them understanding all of that because their favourite bahu, Tulsi - with her folded hands, a bright silk saree draped over her right shoulder, and that graceful smile, is at the centre of those conversations. You see, they'll get it if Tulsi says power in being Tulsi. She led the most-loved daily soap in the history of Indian television - with grace, tradition, and cultural values deeply rooted in everyday household dynamics. If she's doing it, it has to be right. But maybe, that too needs to icon - the low-key goddess stature that Tulsi holds - needs to be shifted to a more human portrayal: vulnerable, and therefore, relatable. Vulnerability, especially in women, must be embraced. Their flaws, and not their flawlessness, need to be highlighted and accepted. And that can only happen if Tulsi herself lives those the original show touched on issues like euthanasia, marital rape and infidelity. But those can no longer remain mere dialogues - they need to become full-blown conversations. The women in the new 'Kyunki' need to see their existence and their ambitions beyond the glossy and golden walls of the Virani even men need to be more. More layered, more invested in the issues that shape their lives, and more engaged in conversations that drive change. Mihir doesn't need to be someone entirely defined by Tulsi or dependent on her. He needs to be an active partner - thinking with her, sharing responsibilities, owning the decisions, and being a support, not a there needs to begin or add to the narrative of inclusivity. Issues like LGBTQ+ rights, caste dynamics, and mental health must be at the forefront. Women's financial independence, marital consent, divorce, remarriage, generational trauma, and patriarchy shouldn't just be plot points - not part of the game - but the game empowerment was often diluted by "sacrifice" tropes in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', and that wouldn't work are not saying the show should become preachy or only serve as a moral guidebook. We are saying let the show become much more than what it used to truth is, reboots walk a thin line between memory and meaning. The challenge for Ekta Kapoor and her team is not just to resurrect a beloved show, but to reimagine it for a generation that demands more from its stories than just drama, melodrama and grand sets. If the new 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' can combine the comfort of nostalgia with the courage to reflect today's truths, it won't just be another reboot. It could become a cultural 2025, it's not enough for Tulsi to just uphold traditions. She must also question them, challenge them, and occasionally, even break them - so her daughters, sons, and every Tulsi who follows her, can finally live freer, fuller lives.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Smriti Irani
India.com
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi: Smriti Irani was paid Rs 1800 per episode in first season, now her fee per episode for season 2 is Rs...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi: Smriti Irani was paid Rs 1800 per episode in first season, now her fee per episode for season 2 is Rs... In the golden age of television, many soap operas came and went. Some entertained us for a brief time and then quickly vanished from our memory; others gave us some unforgettable memories that remain etched in our hearts after many years of their release. But amongst the many shows that came and went, there was one show that stood out the most, so much so that it was compelled to make a comeback, and now it's returning after 25 years. The Return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Yes, the show we are talking about is none other than Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The lead role of Tulsi Virani was played by Smriti Irani. Her innocence and strong screen presence rose her to fame and quickly made her a household name. Now, after 25 years, the comeback of this show has been announced, and the audience is nothing but elated to witness the reboot avatar of Tulsi. However, what is interesting is that the reboot version will not only feature Smriti Irani but also Amar Upadhyay, who played Mihir Virani, reuniting with Smriti on-screen. Fans are excited to see the union of this iconic pair once again. As per the reports. The first episode of the new season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi will premiere on 29th July at 10:30 PM on Star Plus, and it will also stream on Disney+ Hotstar. Smriti Irani's Evolution as Tulsi Virani But besides their comeback, people were also intrigued to discover that Smriti Irani, who played the role of Tusli Irani in 2000, was paid Rs 1800 per episode. And cut to now, she is charging remuneration of Rs 14 lakh for the reboot. This dramatic increase in her fees is not just a reflection of her fame in the entertainment industry, but also her name and fame in politics. The return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi isn't just about reliving memories. It's about taking the legacy forward and reimaging a cult classic.
India Today
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ekta Kapoor breaks silence on why Kyunki after 25 years: To bring change, inspire
Ekta Kapoor wrote a long note on social media, explaining why she decided to reboot 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' after 25 years. The filmmaker, who became a household name with the massive popularity of the show, wrote about the legacy that Smriti Irani built as Tulsi Virani, and why they decided to bring the nostalgia back after two decades. Kapoor promised that the reboot would be inclusive and will give a voice to women. advertisementIn an article titled 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' is back, but who asked for it?' published on July 8, questioned the surprise comeback of the show. The article addressed the show's original content and how it glorified the domestication of women in Indian households. It also highlighted the wide consumption of global content by the audience today, which prefers watching world cinema online over the saas-bahu narratives on television. In a note titled, "Why Kyunki, Why Now?", she addressed the criticism of the show and explained the need for a reboot after two decades. Kapoor revealed that the reboot of 'Kyunki' is going to feature limited episodes. She also promised that the show would "inspire," and "spark conversations" around important conversations in households. She added that even she was averse to the idea of a reboot when the plan was first wrote, "I said, 'Let's do this! Let's create a show that's not afraid to raise important questions, that sparks conversations, and stands out in a time dominated by visual gimmicks.'"She continued, "'Kyunki' is coming back with limited episodes, to celebrate 25 years with an intent to impact, entertain, probe thoughts and, most importantly, to inspire. With a lot of entertainment, excitement and heartfelt emotions."Kapoor further said her show make the required value-addition to the current content setup in homes, and will entertain the audience. "Here's to 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Thi' - to what it stands for, giving a voice, bringing a much-awaited change, to its history and for what ut holds in store for us. Of course, without sounding preachy but being relatable and inclusive."She concluded her note by telling her audience that the show belongs to them, and they should have faith in the storytelling."Cheers to 'Kyunki', cheers to the power of storytelling, cheers to less of what happened before and cheers to what will come! We will never win against nostalgia. The fight though, is not about winning. It is about Impact! To the show that's not just ours, but also yours too (sic)!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by EktaaRkapoor (@ektarkapoor)Kapoor's note came a day after a section of the viewers discussed if we really needed 'Kyunki' in our lives at a time when we can access global content with a far more progressive Irani reprises her iconic role as Tulsi Virani in the reboot of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', Amar Upadhyay, Apara Mehta, Shakti Anand and Komolika Guha Thakurta, among others, have joined the show in their popular limited series will air on Star Plus from July 29 at 10:30 pm.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Smriti Irani
