After a quarter-century hiatus, the beloved television serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is set to grace our screens once more, much to the delight of fans. They’re especially thrilled to see Smriti Irani step back into her iconic role as Tulsi Virani. Ektaa Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms recently unveiled the first promo for the much-anticipated sequel, offering a glimpse of the actress and stirring a wave of nostalgia, reminding everyone how deeply ingrained the daily soap was in countless families. This return isn’t just significant for its dedicated viewership; it holds a profound personal meaning for Ektaa Kapoor as well.
As the premiere date draws closer, Ektaa Kapoor shared a heartfelt message with her followers, elaborating on her decision to revive this cult classic. Her lengthy note, aptly titled “WHY KYUNKI, WHY NOW?”, began by recounting her initial resistance to the sequel, stemming from a desire to preserve the untouched “supreme” element of nostalgia. She also acknowledged the drastic evolution of the television landscape, where audiences now consume content across myriad platforms, a stark contrast to Kyunki’s reign as a consistent TRP chart-topper.
However, upon deeper reflection, Ektaa realized that Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi transcended mere viewership figures. She wrote, “Research carried out by an international body once concluded that the show gave a voice to women in Indian homes. Between 2000 and 2005, for the first time, women began participating in family discussions, a shift deeply influenced by Indian television.” She further highlighted the show’s global reach, noting, “Kyunki became a global ambassador, carrying forward India’s storytelling traditions worldwide. It wasn’t just a daily soap, it brought discussions about domestic rpe, marital rpe, age shaming and euthanasia to the dining tables of Indian homes. That was the true legacy of the story.”
Furthermore, Ektaa pointed out that the show’s abrupt ending had always lingered in their minds. Thus, when her team proposed the sequel, Ektaa contemplated, “Can we keep Kyunki away from today’s storytelling formats and focus once again on the issues that television once bravely addressed and dealt with? Can we make it about impactful stories, not TRPs? Can we reclaim the power to reach millions to actually change mindsets and thoughts?”
In this new iteration, Ektaa Kapoor aims to tackle contemporary issues like parenting and topics often considered taboo. Her vision for television is to create a platform that both educates and entertains. Ektaa stated, “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.” She underscored her renewed focus by emphasizing that this time, “The fight though, is not about winning. It is about Impact!”
Beyond Smriti Irani, the sequel will feature the return of Amar Upadhyay, Hiten Tejwani, and his wife Gauri Pradhan, adding further star power and a touch more nostalgia to the series. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 is scheduled to air on Star Plus on July 29 at 10:30 pm and will also be available for streaming on JioCinema.
