07 July,2025 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Smriti Irani as Tulsi Virani
The OG Tulsi, Smriti Irani, is back to playing her iconic role in the remake of the hit early 2000s show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Earlier on Monday, a picture, believed to be the first look of Smriti from the upcoming show, was circulated on social media, which sent waves of nostalgia across the audience who had watched the show back in the day.
Smriti penned a deep and heartfelt note saying, "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."
She further added, "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. 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."
Finally, she concluded by expressing, "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."
The superhit show, which ran for a good seven years from 2000 to 2008 on Star Plus revolved around the goings-on in a business family. The show is now all set to return in a new avatar on the platform. An alleged first look of Smriti Irani was circulated on social media on Monday, wherein she is seen dressed in a maroon saree.
It is believed that unlike the first season's 1,800+ episodes, Season 2 is expected to be a limited series, having 150 episodes designed to bring the story to a close. Ekta Kapoor has earlier openly spoke about wanting to take the show to a symbolic 2,000-episode mark. However, the decision to keep this new chapter finite highlights how TV storytelling has changed over the years.
