Latest news with #Virani


The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Nostalgia drives old-timers to watch ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2' premiere episode
Nostalgia is in the air with Smriti Irani's Tulsi Virani back on the small screen to unravel the Virani family saga, the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot promising a familiar story rooted in tradition 25 years after it sparked a daily soap trend. The show, which began airing on Star Plus and JioHotstar on Tuesday night, is remembered for bringing families together in front of the television as they breathlessly watched the goings-on in the affluent joint family. The first episode focuses on the 38th wedding anniversary of the main protagonists, Mihir and Tulsi. The ideal daughter-in-law is now at the helm of affairs in the Virani family mansion Shanti Niketan and the story opens with her praying to a tulsi plant and reciting the Gayatri Mantra. The tone is set -- apparently not very different from 2000 when the Ekta Kapoor show first began airing. It went on for 1,800 more episodes right up to 2008. Two main characters have died -- Ba and Savita Virani are now pictures on the wall and Tulsi is seen reminiscing about the days gone by and speaking to them. Several old-timers made sure to tune into the show, which created a buzz with BJP leader Smriti Irani returning to acting after a long hiatus. 'When I was a child, my mother used to watch the serial... She would watch it everyday. This time also, I watched the first episode and I liked it a lot,' a young woman, then just a child, told PTI in Amethi, Irani's former constituency. In Amethi, where Irani enjoys immense popularity both as a public figure and a performer, residents gathered in groups to watch the premiere episode togethe. Many on social media also remembered fondly the time they spent as children and with their family to watch the many upheavals in the Virani family for eight years and various time leaps. Now that the show has returned with an actual time leap, nostalgia has driven them back. "No words can describe the feeling. It's pure nostalgia. So many real life memories associated with Kyunki. That golden era of television is back," wrote a fan. A fan wrote how she used to watch the show with her maternal grandmother, who is no longer alive. Actor Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, who played a married couple on the original show, are also back as Karan and Nandini. A lot has changed since Kyunki... released all those years ago. OTT has revolutionised the entertainment scene with the best of shows from India and abroad available to audiences at the click of a button. It remains to be seen whether Kyunki... manages to grab the attention of younger and newer audiences used to slicker, more contemporary shows and bring back those who tuned in all those years ago. The Kyunki... setting 25 years on remains much the same. Matriarch Tulsi is busy looking after the arrangements for a big party when Mihir surprises her by gifting a car. The show ends with a hint of fresh challenges coming Tulsi's way. There are a few concessions to today's age with references to social media and late night parties. Will that be enough? Kyunki... achieved cult status in daily soaps and became a pop culture moment that was popularly referenced by Karan Johar in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham where Kajol's character is excitedly discussing developments in the show with a neighbour. ALSO READ: How the Ramayan TV show helped shape a singular nationwide Hindu identity Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's popular 2012 gangster drama Gangs of Wasseypur 1 literally opens with the show's opening montage where Tulsi is inviting viewers to the family drama as a group of people are watching the show in rapt attention but the calm and the TV set is broken by bullets. Many past favourites Kasauti Zindagi Ki, Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai and Khichdi made a comeback but with not much success. The makers of Kyunki... hope to change that.


Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi first episode review: Tulsi and Mihir Virani era is back and so is the storm in the reboot premiere
What do you get when tradition meets tech, and old grudges meet new parties? The answer is Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, reborn. The first episode wastes no time diving into the familiar chaos of the Virani household—only this time, there are phones, filters, and influencers in the mix. But at the centre of it all is Tulsi, the ever-composed woman of steel, returning to our screens after 25 years. The episode opens with a sweeping visual of the Virani mansion, now refurbished but still echoing with the past. Tulsi performs her morning aarti, and we see flashbacks of Baa, Savita, and the emotional foundations that once held this family together. Tulsi's emotional connect with Baa and her saas Savita giving archived flashbacks from the original season is bound to hit you by nostalgia. Karan and Nandini, played by Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, walk back into our lives with the quiet confidence of veterans. Meanwhile, Gayatri's passive-aggressive taunts toward Tulsi set the tone for the layered conflicts brewing. The next-gen is glossy and restless. They love their night-outs, flaunt their relationships on social media, but also respect family traditions—and when Tulsi speaks, even the rebels listen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Simpang Tiga: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay 's reunion feels less like acting and more like muscle memory. Their scenes are warm, slow-burning, and comforting. With drama, emotion, and callbacks galore, the reboot isn't just reliving the past—it's rewriting it for today's world. The Viranis are ready for battle, and so are we. After a wait of 25 years, the iconic show is back on screen and will it be able to pull the new gen? Only time will tell as this show is going to be a limited season.


Mint
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2 Twitter review: Fans go nostalgic, feel like opening an old diary of memories
On July 29 at 10:30 PM, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi returned with Season 2 on StarPlus and on JioHotstar. Tulsi and Mihir are back as new faces join the Virani family. The reboot marks 25 years of the show. It's a short series of 150 episodes, mixing old memories with fresh stories. Meanwhile, fans on Twitter (now X) reached an emotional high while watching the iconic show return to Indian television. Let's take a look at some of their responses. 'No words can describe the feeling. It's pure nostalgia. So many real-life memories associated with 'Kyunki'. That golden era of television is back!' wrote a nostalgic fan. 'Currently watching Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and lowkey vibing to the OG soap opera that raised a generation,' wrote another. Another fan exclaimed, 'Rewatching Kyunki is like opening an old diary. Tears, smiles, gasps — it's all still there. This story aged like fine wine.' 'Who would've thought? After 25 YEARS, we're watching Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi all over again! Some things don't age… they become LEGENDS,' came from another. 'Kyunki is back… but the one I used to watch it with isn't. it was me & Nani. Now it's just me… and her memories,' whispered another user. And, then, there was a new fan commenting, 'I haven't watched season 1 of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, but today watched the first episode of S2 with mumma and still felt nostalgic with all those flashbacks surprisingly.' In 2000s, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi became a massive hit across India. Many people changed their daily routines to watch the soap opera. Some even decorated their homes like the Virani house. Tulsi Virani became a symbol of the perfect Indian daughter-in-law. Actress Smriti Irani won five Best Actress awards in a row. The show's famous opening scene, where Tulsi prays near a sacred plant, became iconic and is used again in Season 2 to bring back memories. In the film Gangs of Wasseypur, director Anurag Kashyap cleverly uses this peaceful TV scene to show a contrast. In the movie, as a family watches Kyunki, violent gangsters suddenly attack. Kashyap starts his film with the show's soft theme music, then pulls back the camera to reveal bullets and chaos in the real world.


Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 on OTT: When and where to watch Smriti Irani's much-awaited comeback
Twenty-five years after it first reshaped Indian television, 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' is making a grand return with a brand new sequel. The show, produced by Ekta Kapoor, will premiere on Tuesday, July 29 at 10:30 PM on Star Plus, and will also be available for streaming on JioHotstar, giving long-time fans and new viewers alike a chance to experience the next chapter in the iconic Virani family saga. The reboot, titled 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2', brings back beloved stars Smriti Irani as Tulsi Virani and Amar Upadhyay as Mihir. The show marks a powerful blend of nostalgia and reinvention, as it reintroduces the themes of family, duty, and relationships to a new era of television. The show will simultaenously air on Star Plus and also stream on JioHotstar. Fans of the show, who have waited with baited breath, This sequel is more about rebooting memories, redefining Indian family drama, and perhaps most importantly, reuniting viewers with the characters they've never forgotten. 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2' isn't simply about reviving a cult classic. The first teaser, shared on Star Plus' Instagram, begins not at the traditional Virani mansion, but in a restaurant. A present-day family fondly recalls the original show, before the scene shifts to a quiet, moving image of Tulsi watering a tulsi plant. In a symbolic moment, she breaks the fourth wall and says, 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi wapas aa raha hai,' a gesture that bridges generations and invites audiences back into the world they grew up with. Alongside the returning leads, the new season introduces fresh faces to the ensemble cast, including Rohit Suchanti, Shagun Sharma, Aman Gandhi, Tanisha Mehta, Prachi Singh, and Ankit Bhatia. These younger actors bring contemporary perspectives and storylines to the established dynamics of the Virani household. As Indian television continues to evolve, 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2' promises to deliver both emotional resonance and modern drama—offering loyal fans a nostalgic homecoming and new audiences a timeless tale in a refreshed format.


News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: Gauri Pradhan Teases Fans With BTS Picture
Last Updated: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2 promises to blend nostalgia with modern storytelling, introducing new characters while maintaining the legacy of the Virani family. Ekta Kapoor's beloved series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is making a grand comeback with Season 2, premiering on July 29 on Star Plus. Fans are already buzzing with excitement on social media, nostalgic for the iconic characters and storyline. Smriti Irani reprises her iconic role as Tulsi Virani, reuniting with Amar Upadhyay as Mihir Virani after 12 years, bringing back fond memories. The new season promises to blend nostalgia with modern storytelling, introducing new characters while maintaining the legacy of the Virani family. On July 25, actress Gauri Pradhan, who is set to reprise her role as Nandini Virani, recently shared an exciting update on Instagram. The actress gave fans a glimpse of what's to come with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. Gauri Pradhan's post features a joyful behind-the-scenes moment with her husband and co-star Hiten Tejwani and the iconic Tulsi, Smriti Irani. The image radiates excitement, hinting at the rich cultural essence that the show is known for. The caption, filled with enthusiasm, reads, 'Break ke baad…can't wait, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" reflecting the anticipation surrounding the show's revival. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gauri Pradhan (@gpradhan) Fans have already begun expressing their excitement in the comments. The post has sparked a wave of nostalgia, with viewers eager to relive the emotional rollercoaster of the Virani family saga. One of the fans wrote, 'Woow wow so beautiful pic (sin). Lag hi nahi rha k itny saal baad arhe ho phrse kyun k. Wohi choty se karan nandini lag rhe ho." Another user added, 'inally hum sbka intizaar khatam hua or hum fir se apni best jodi ko dekh u Gauri Ma'am and Hiten (sin). We all so happy." One more comment read, 'Gauri and Hiten, our magical couple are back ….extremely excited to see you both together as karan-nandini again." After unveiling Smriti Irani's first look as Tulsi Virani, the makers of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi dropped a heartwarming behind-the-scenes clip from the set. The video brought back fond memories as Smriti (Tulsi), Amar Upadhyay (Mihir), Hiten Tejwani (Karan) and Gauri Pradhan (Nandini) reunited after 12 years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gauri Pradhan (@gpradhan) Now, the original cast has introduced the new faces who will play the next generation of the Virani family, blending nostalgia with fresh energy. First Published: 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.