Smriti Irani’s Return as Tulsi Virani in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ Reboot Ignites Fan Excitement
Mumbai– The iconic Indian television series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is set to make a grand return to Star Plus, with Smriti Irani reprising her beloved role as Tulsi Virani. The announcement, made on July 7, 2025, has sent waves of nostalgia across social media, as fans eagerly anticipate the reboot’s premiere on July 29 at 10:30 PM, a timeslot that mirrors the show’s original run 25 years ago. The series will also be available for streaming on JioHotstar.
Star Plus unveiled the news via its official Instagram account, sharing a promo featuring Irani as Tulsi Virani, who is seen tending to a sacred Tulsi plant while pledging to reconnect with viewers despite her political career. The post’s caption read, “Kya aap abhi bhi vishwaas nahi kar paa rahe? 25 saal ke baad, Tulsi Virani laut rahi hai, ek nayi kahaani ke saath! #KyunkiSaasBhiKabhiBahuThi ek baar phir taayaar hai har ghar ka hissa bann ne. Kya aap bhi taiyaar ho? Dekhiye #KyunkiSaasBhiKabhiBahuThi, 29th July se, raat 10:30 baje, sirf StarPlus par aur kabhi bhi JioHotstar par. #TulsiIsBack #StarPlus #JioHotstar.”
The internet erupted with reactions to the news. One X user exclaimed, “She’s back!! The queen of Indian television. Can’t wait to see Tulsi Virani again!” Another wrote, “Tulsi is back! Smriti Irani’s return to the screen is sure to revive nostalgia and skyrocket her popularity. From Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to Parliament what a journey!” A third user shared, “25 years later, and my mom is already planning her evenings around Kyunki. This is going to be epic!” Some fans, however, expressed mixed feelings, with one commenting, “Why reboot an iconic show? Hope they don’t ruin the legacy of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.”
The announcement coincided with the release of Irani’s first look as Tulsi, which amplified the buzz. The reboot, produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, aims to blend the original series’ emotional resonance with a fresh narrative for modern audiences. Originally airing from 2000 to 2008, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi dominated Indian television, holding the top spot for seven consecutive years and becoming a cultural touchstone for millions of households.
The excitement was tempered by a minor production hiccup, as Amar Upadhyay, who reprises his role as Mihir Virani, confirmed a delay in the premiere due to set redesigns. Speaking, he noted, “The set had to be reworked. Apparently, the colour combination on the screen wasn’t translating the way it should. Ektaa knows exactly what she wants, she’s a perfectionist. And this is Kyunki. It’s not just another show. It’s a legacy.”
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Irani, who transitioned from acting to a prominent political career, reflected on the show’s significance during a conversation with Barkha Dutt and Karan Johar on We The Women. She revealed that a reboot was planned in 2014, but her appointment as a cabinet minister in the Indian Parliament took precedence. “I had a contract to do it again in 2014, and I walked away from it because I had to serve in the Indian Parliament as a cabinet minister,” she said, adding that the late Rishi Kapoor had encouraged her to prioritize public service over acting.
As the premiere date approaches, the return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi promises to rekindle memories for longtime fans while introducing its timeless family drama to a new generation.