Smriti Irani Returns As Tulsi In ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2’ - First Glimpse Out!
Smriti Irani, former Union Minister, BJP leader and former television star, is set to reprise her iconic role as Tulsi Virani in the much – awaited reboot Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. The first glimpse of the show has been released, triggering a wave of nostalgia among television audiences who grew up watching the original series.
Irani, now an established politician and former parliamentarian, shot to fame in the early 2000s as the ideal daughter-in-law Tulsi in Ekta Kapoor’s flagship serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which aired on Star Plus. The show ran from 2000 to 2008 and became a cultural phenomenon in Indian households, with Tulsi becoming a household name. Her portrayal of the dutiful and resilient bahu earned her several accolades and cemented her status as one of Indian television’s most beloved characters.
However, in a rare move for a television star, Irani transitioned into politics. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2003 and gradually rose through the ranks. Known for her fiery speeches and organisational skills, she unsuccesfully contested the 2014 general elections and pulled off a political upset by defeating Congress scion Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in 2019. But lost to Kishori Lal Sharma, an office bearer of Congress, for over 1.67 lakh votes in 2024.
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As a Cabinet Minister, she has held several portfolios including Human Resource Development, Textiles, and Women & Child Development.
Ekta Kapoor’s decision to revive Kyunki comes amid a wave of reboots of classic Indian soaps.
Kyunki holds a unique place in Indian television history, not just as a long-running soap but as a cultural force that shaped family drama narratives in the early 2000s. The show normalised melodrama, patriarchal values, and the idealisation of the dutiful daughter-in-law through the character of Tulsi. While it struck an emotional chord with middle-class households, critics have often pointed out its regressive undertones – reinforcing gender stereotypes, glorifying traditional hierarchies, and blurring the line between entertainment and moral prescription. Its success spawned a wave of similar serials, locking primetime television into a repetitive cycle of saas-bahu conflicts and moral dilemmas. Despite this, the show’s influence is undeniable.
