Smriti Irani reflects on the legacy of Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi: Female led shows were rare

Reflecting on the original run from 2000 to 2008, Smriti Irani highlighted how the show broke several barriers, “From 2000 to 2008, our show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi team redefined television in a completely new way. In those days, nobody watched TV at 10:30 p.m. A woman producing a television series wasn’t common, and it was also rare for female actors to be the central narrators and the core focus of any show. Establishing all these things was a landmark in itself, a unique chapter of our lives,” she shared.

Smriti’s words reflect not only the evolution of her own journey but also highlight how Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi created a cultural shift in Indian television. It gave strong female voices a platform and helped establish a new era of prime-time viewing led by stories rooted in emotion, family, and resilience.

Smriti recalls how Kyunki changed their lives

Smriti had recently shared with Aaj Tak, "I still remember when we first started working on the show; we were about 120–150 people. None of us owned a house or a car. We all laid the financial foundation of our lives through Kyunki. People may watch us on screen, but many don’t realise how many households keep their stoves burning simply because someone switches on the television."

As the show prepares for its new season, it carries with it not just nostalgia but a renewed purpose. As anticipation builds, viewers can look forward to reconnecting with their favourite characters. The legacy continues as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, a new season to Star Plus from July 29th, airing at 10:30 p.m. Don’t miss the new season and a fresh chapter in television history!