As her journey as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi comes to an end, actress and politician Smriti Irani talks about reclaiming her love for acting and balancing two demanding careers.

Smriti is clear that she is not shutting the doors to acting this time. She says, “My political responsibilities are a commitment I have made to public life. Acting is a craft I had stopped practising, but apparently never stopped loving. I don’t know if I would call this a comeback. I would call it a rediscovery. And this time, I don’t feel the need to shut one door merely to prove my commitment to the room I am already in.”

She adds, “Life has taught me to be very careful with the word ‘never’. For years, I believed acting was a chapter I had closed. Twenty-five years after Tulsi first entered my life, I found myself standing before a camera as her again. There is a larger lesson in that – Why must one part of a person’s identity disappear for another to be authentic? I don’t know which character will come to me later. But unlike before, if something excites me creatively and I can honour its commitment, I would certainly explore it.”

Smriti refuses to see her two careers as competing commitments. “I have been fortunate to experience success in two demanding and unforgiving worlds. Both teach you the same lesson: yesterday’s success gives you no entitlement to tomorrow’s opportunity. Politics gave me responsibilities and an understanding of India that the young actor in me could never have imagined. And then, after many years, Tulsi came knocking again. There is something wonderfully circular about that,” she shares.

Looking ahead, Smriti says she is focused on growth rather than labels. “At this stage of my life, I don’t feel the need to choose one identity simply to make myself easier for other people to understand. I am a political worker. I am an actor. I have been an administrator. I have known extraordinary success and I have known defeat. I have led, I have learnt, and I have started again. All of those experiences belong to the same person. Today, I don’t measure my life by how many designations I can accumulate or how frequently I appear on a screen. I ask myself simpler questions: Can I still contribute? Can I still learn? Can I walk into a new room without believing my past entitles me to a place in it? Can I still have the courage to attempt something at which I may have to prove myself all over again? If the answer is yes, I want to keep doing it. So, I don’t see myself returning from one world to another. I see myself moving forward – with everything both worlds have taught me,” she concludes.

One of the defining moments of Smriti’s return to entertainment came after her defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when she decided to pick up the phone herself and ask for acting opportunities.

“I am actually very proud that I picked up that phone. Why should asking for work embarrass me? I began my professional life asking for opportunities. Why should success make me so entitled that asking for an opportunity again becomes beneath me? I have held significant responsibilities in public life, and I have also known what it is to pick up a telephone and say, ‘Is there work for me?’ I am equally comfortable owning both experiences. Position can give you authority. It should never give you entitlement. There is enormous dignity in work and enormous strength in being willing to begin again. After 2024, I could have waited for somebody to call me. I didn’t. I made the call myself. Perhaps what I reclaimed in that moment wasn’t merely acting. I reclaimed the young woman in me who never believed that starting again was something to be ashamed of. Sometimes the ability to begin again is a greater measure of confidence than the ability to remain at the top,” she elaborates.

When Ektaa R Kapoor revived Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi for a second season in July 2025, it was a defining moment for its legion of fans. After a 15-month run, the Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay-led family drama is set to wind up on October 20. It’s a bittersweet moment for Upadhyay aka Mihir Virani.

“All good things come to an end,” the actor told mid-day, before adding, “It was supposed to be 167 episodes. But with Kyunki… doing really well, it got an extension in January. Then it kept on getting extended. But we were prepared that it would close at one point.”

So, is it the final goodbye from the Viranis? The family was first introduced in 2000; soon Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi topped TRP charts and became a landmark offering in Hindi television, running for eight years. Considering the show was revived 17 years later, Upadhyay is hopeful that it’s not the end of the road yet.

“It might come back in the future. This time, it returned after nearly 20 years; maybe the next season will be much earlier.”

The actor had exited the JioHotstar and Star TV offering in May for four months. He returned only last week. He revealed that his contract had ended, leading to his absence.

“Negotiations were happening, and, then the [narrative] shifted. The makers wanted to wind up the old track and then bring me back in a big way. Unfortunately, by the time I returned, it was time to wind up.”

After a three-year break, Drashti Bhanushali returns to television as Garima in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. Having spent years playing child characters in television shows and advertisements, the actor admits she wasn’t initially keen on joining the iconic franchise.

“I was not ready for this show, but my mom loved it because everyone at home, including my naani, used to watch it. I didn’t know much about the show before, but a leap was set to happen with the new generation leading the way forward. At first I didn’t appreciate the character, but after living in her skin and understanding her, I am glad to be part of it,” says Bhanushali, adding that being part of a Balaji show was a bonus.

Stepping onto the set came with its share of nerves. “Everybody was a senior here. From the director to Smriti [Irani] ma’am, they have been there since the original show. So, I was nervous. Especially since my entry was different from others. I entered the scene as a drunk. But it came as a shock to people who’ve seen my work.”

The role also marked her transition from child actor to playing a young adult, which she says “took time”. “The director [often told me], ‘Garima is not in her childhood. Bring your adult version.’ Sometimes, the childish voice just slips in. I’m improving slowly.”

On working with Irani, she says, “We had a word, she is very sweet. But she rarely comes on set. Most of the time, [her role is enacted with us] using a duplicate. Everyone on set is rather welcoming and sweet. They introduced themselves first. It’s inspiring to watch them perform.”

Bhanushali’s name recently surfaced in connection with Rohit Chandel, who was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following allegations of harassment made by a minor co-actor.

She told mid-day, “I have no knowledge of the ongoing case and request everyone to stop associating my name with it. I am no longer in touch with the person concerned and have no connection to this matter. It is disappointing that some co-actors are indirectly dragging my name into this issue without knowing the facts. I am not here to support anyone. If legal proceedings are underway, let the judiciary decide the truth.”

For years, Indian television bowed to the novelty gods, fresh faces, Instagram reels, and Gen-Z casting ruled. Veterans, quietly benched. But of late, seasoned stars are flipping the script, reclaiming prime time, sparking a ratings renaissance and riding the viewer nostalgia wave. Cue Mahadev & Sons, where Sneha Wagh, Shakti Anand, and Manasi Salvi reunite which garnered a whooping 1.4 TVR in the opening week, a solid debut for a fictional show on prime time. Powerhouses like Smriti Irani, forever etched as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and Rupali Ganguly of Anupamaa fame, hold court as leads in top TRP shows. And yes...whispers grow louder: Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Madhubala eye reboots, with original casts in talks instead of newbies.

Creative Director Siddharttha Vankar, who is presently helming two top television shows, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Naagin 7, believes veteran actors offer something far deeper than just familiarity as compared to fresh faces.

“Veteran actors don’t merely add gravitas to a show; they carry decades of shared memory, emotional investment and unspoken trust between performer and viewers. In an era where television audiences are fragmented, impatient, and increasingly distant from appointment viewing, familiar faces act as a powerful emotional anchor. Nostalgia here is not a retreat into the past, but a bridge, one that reconnects audiences to a medium they once loved and slowly drifted away from.”

Siddharttha further adds, “For many older viewers, who have disengaged from active television consumption, the return of beloved actors feels like a personal call-back. These actors arrive with a built-in relationship with the audience; their presence reassures, comforts, and invites loyalty in a way no marketing campaign can manufacture overnight. At a time when newer faces and experimental formats often struggle to hold attention, veteran performers offer stability, credibility and emotional familiarity. They don’t just bring audiences back, they bring back the habit of watching, the comfort of routine, and the sense that television still understands its viewers. And in doing so, they quietly help revive the very ecosystem that once made them icons.”

Veteran actress Manasi Salvi, who gained popularity with the show Kohi Apna Sa in 2001, shares, “Right now we are in a very good time in television because there is an amalgamation happening between veteran actors and new faces. There was a phase when people felt you just needed a beautiful boy or a beautiful girl, and everything else will work, and that you don’t need people like Ram Kapoor or others to make the show work. But now makers are realizing that if you want a show to be stable, even in the first one or two months, you need stable faces. We veterans have a recall value. When viewers feel, ‘I’ve seen her somewhere,’ they want to stay and see what she’s doing now. That familiarity really works. Veteran actors also bring their own loyal audience. With new actors, it takes time to build that connection, but here you already get a ready-made audience, and that’s a plus.”

Rajan Shahi, producer, director and writer of shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Anupamaa says he has always preferred to have experienced actors in his shows. “Experienced actors bring a lot to the table,” he says, adding, “New shows with new faces mostly are not working on TV so popular names and faces are back in demand.” 

Ask him why the veterans were missing from the small screen for so long, and he says without hesitation, “Over time, it became difficult for makers to work with seasoned actors as most of them came with a lot of baggage of stardom. A large number of them were also were eyeing OTT and films. But now things have changed and they are slowly coming back to TV, without any baggages, of course! TV as a medium has become big, more so, as the shows are also streamed on OTT.”

Actor Shakti Anand, remembered for his role as Hemant Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and is now seen in the sequel of the show, believes the television industry is finally recognising the value of seasoned performers after years of chasing trends.

“I’ll say the industry moves and grows with the trend. There was a time when a young boy with 2 million followers was cast. But following someone on Instagram and converting that into a viewership it’s all not the same. Long-time television actors still evoke that nostalgia which people connect with. And because of this new trend of casting more experienced actors, we veterans are finally getting their due, and many actors shall also get the chance to make a comeback,” he says.

Producer, writer, and director Saurabh Tewari, known for Madhubala and Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, has released Mahadev & Sons, featuring three veteran actors. On the real advantage of casting veterans, he says, “What veterans really bring is experience. You don’t have to train them the way you train new actors. They understand performance, camera, and character depth. For a producer, that gives confidence in the content, ki chalo show chale na chale, mera show bann toh acha raha hai. Beyond that, everything else is mostly hype. The trend of casting veteran actors is a phase. Everybody in the industry is just trying to find a formula for the show to run, but there is no such strategic formula.”

Tiwari also cautions on casting older actors: “It’s not like veterans are suddenly reviving television, or earlier chocolate-boy heroes and girls were the only reason shows were running. That’s not how it works. The market today is extremely overcrowded. So, unless you’re actually trying to say something, unless there’s something unique and organic in the storytelling, nothing really shakes the audience. We need to get out of this thought that an actor of any generation can run a TV show. A show works because a few things have gone right in the making and the telling. Nostalgia is a part of it, yes, but it’s just ‘a’ part. If you ask me honestly, a veteran actor may add 10 per cent. The remaining 90 per cent is still content. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is working because the storytelling and the making are right; nostalgia is only one layer. Similarly, nobody was waiting for Rupali to come back with Anupamaa. It’s the story that brought in the TRPs.”

Actor Sneha Wagh, best known for her performance in Ek Veer Ki Ardaas...Veera (2012), currently seen in Mahadev & Sons, says, “The makers were thinking that a good number of social media followers would bring the audience and viewership. They weren’t realizing that those followers are not the television audience, they are basically those who are doomscrolling. The industry is now getting a realization that even when an actor is having a less number of followers, his talent to portray a character will always be more vital for the show. In terms of pay, it’s fine, but I won’t say it’s very good. Of course, veterans are paid well compared to newcomers. However, yes, there will always be a certain recall and face value that old-time actors bring,” she says.

Bangur Nagar Police have arrested actress Masumi Mevawala and two others on charges of cheating a 60-year-old man of Rs 1.17 crore by enticing him with promises of huge returns from a samosa-vada pav franchise scheme.

The ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ actress Masumi Mevawala has been accused of forgery for the seventh time.

The matter came to light when the senior citizen approached the police to register an FIR. “My husband was arrested and lodged in Arthur Road Jail. In 2022, when I went to see my husband in jail, he introduced me to Rajesh Mevawala. On a weekly visit to the jail, Mevawala introduced me to his wife Rakhi, daughter Masumi and son Bhargav. They said that they had a good investment plan,” the complainant stated.

The daughter and son went to the complainant’s residence to tell her about the scheme. “They came to my residence and told me that they own a private food chain and are involved in supplying samosa and vada pav. If I invest in their company, I will get daily profits. Lured by their offer, I invested Rs 25 lakh in 2022,” the complainant told Mumbai Mirror, on condition of anonymity.

The complainant received profits. “This is their common modus operandi. The family deposited Rs 2,000 daily as part of the profit. The victim got lured and invested more. The victim then invested Rs 1.17 crore in total. The daughter and son then stopped giving money and switched off their phones,” the police said.

In 2023, Rajesh Mevawala secured bail. “When he secured bail, he came to my residence and said that Masumi and Bhargav had taken money, but there was no agreement. He assured us that after the agreement was done, we all would get the money back. In 2024, we all victims made a loan agreement with Rajesh; however, we didn’t receive money and were left with no choice but to approach the police,” the 60-year-old said.

According to the police, the Mevawala family targeted senior citizens. “They usually targeted senior citizens, especially women. Seven cases have been registered across the city against Rajesh and Masumi. We are investigating the matter,” the police added.

The Mevawala family was arrested from Parel on November 28. “Through technical and human intelligence, the family was arrested from their residence in Lower Parel. We are investigating the matter and will find out the money trail,” the officer added.

Rajesh Mevawala (55), Bhargav Mevawala (23) and Masumi Mevawala (33) have been booked under sections of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments Act, 1999, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Ketki Dave has been a part of showbiz for three decades now, and there has been one mantra that she has followed from day one. “I have to enjoy myself while playing a role, otherwise, it’s a waste of my time,” says Ketki, who has done films, TV shows and theatre. “This is something I’ve always believed in. If I enjoy my role, my audience will too,” she adds.

The actress says she is keen to explore the OTT space now. “I want to get into OTT, but makers are not visualizing me in those roles. Maybe because they haven’t seen what I did 25 years ago and have slotted me in certain comedy roles. But I’m ready for that, too, because I just love to entertain. That apart, I would also like to explore serious roles like that of a police inspector or any other gripping role.”

Theatre will remain her deepest connection with the craft. Ketki says, “Theatre keeps you alert. You have to remember your lines and stay sharp.” Her last play, Patni Nachave, Ene Kaun Bachave, ran for over 200 shows across the world. “People loved it, and that’s what theatre is — direct connection, instant response, no filters.”

On the personal front, her husband, actor Rasik Dave’s demise in 2022 changed her life. “When you share everything with one person and suddenly he’s gone, life changes overnight. But then, life also gives you things. It took Rasik away, but gave me my grandson five months later.”

In the current age of social media, where actors are busy promoting themselves online, Ketki says she’d rather have her work speak for itself. “I’m not on social media and that’s okay. I have never felt the need to promote myself. Even when I first got into acting, I didn’t do it for fame. I loved the audience’s affection — that’s what I saw my mother (veteran actress Sarita Joshi) getting. Fame came later, but I didn’t chase it,” she says.

Instead, she believes in balancing things. “Work is one part of life. You need time for yourself, your relationships and your hobbies. Or else, you lose the joy of living. Success in every area — not just work — can bring happiness.”

Ketki is currently seen in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. Ask her about her character Daksha, which became popular for her ‘aa ra ra’ dialogue, and she says, “Daksha Virani’s ‘aa ra ra’ was my improvisation after I requested the director in the first season.”

She adds, “I’m open to doing more TV projects, but yes, closer to home! Long commutes to Naigaon or Umbergaon are tiring now. Shorter commitments, one or two months — I’m open to that.”

Rakshanda Khan, known for her roles in television hits like Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Kasamh Se and Naagin, has often portrayed sophisticated, urban characters. In her latest project Dhaakad Beera, she steps away from that familiar image to play a character rooted in a rural setting.

She says, “My character Mallika in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin was quite glamorous. Tanya in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was an America-returned woman. Most of my roles have been urban with an element of glamour. Even in Naagin, Sumitra was a housewife who later turned into a naagin — there was always some drama and style involved. But now I’m playing something very different. Dhaakad Beera is set in a village.”

On why she took up the role, she adds, “This was the first time I was offered a character without any glamour, and the makers were clear about that. When they approached me, I even asked if they were sure they had called the right person — I thought it was a mistake. But they wanted to test me for the role. I went for the narration, and the part was well written. She’s one of the main characters in the show. Initially, I wasn’t sure, but it’s worked out well.”

Looking back on her career of over two decades, Rakshanda says she never planned to become an actor. “I didn’t set out to act, and I didn’t have any other plans either. Modelling and acting just happened, and I went along with it. Even now, I tend to go with the flow. The things I say no to often end up happening anyway,” she says.

While he doesn’t get much time to celebrate Navratri now, “playing garba is therapeutic and a great stressbuster” for Amar Upadhyay.

The Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi actor, who was born and brought up in Mumbai, shares, “I miss playing garba. During my childhood, I used to play garba every day during Navratri. But now, I am usually busy with work and so, I just visit garba venues for appearances. This time, I am shooting daily during Navratri, so I haven’t been to any event. Once I moved to Malad, regular celebrations became rare. We would take our children to garba events till the time they turned teenagers. Now, they go out on their own whenever possible.” Excerpts from a chat:

I grew up in Kandivali, and Navratri was always fun. My friends and I would be excited the moment we saw the tempo filled with mandap ka saaman, and people setting it up. My father is a singer; he used to sing garbas at our pandal which was located between two housing societies, and we used to play garba. We waited for the weekend, as Saturday ko puri raat garba chalta tha. Hum garba khelne ke baad chai pite thay, prasad khaate thay. There were no garba classes then, so my friends and I used to decide every day that aaj yeh step karenge (laughs). My childhood memories of Navratri are fantastic. I prefer donning only traditional outfits, especially simple kurta-pyjamas. As kids, we got new kurtas every Navratri and wore them. Phir last ke dino mein wohi kurtas repeat bhi karte thay (laughs).

I believe old is gold. The garba songs we have grown up listening to are the actual ones. Today, we hear filmi songs during Navratri, which have no connection to the festival. Understandably, everything has become commercial now. But I feel Navratri playlists shouldn’t lose the Gujarati touch. There are so many garba and folk songs in our culture which are so rich, so why not do garba on those? We (Gujaratis) are known for our garba songs across the world, so we should preserve and cherish them.

I am from Bhiloda, and Navratri celebrations there are beautiful, pure, traditional and wholesome. I was there for Navratri some years ago, and we celebrated every day. We played garba all night and used to sleep all morning. My father and aunt used to sing garba there, and be it dance steps or outfits, everything is traditional. My father still goes there every year and shares pictures and videos.

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AAfter quitting acting to venture into politics, Smriti Irani is making her screen comeback with the very TV show that made her a household name 25 years ago — Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT). The actor-politician tells us that the reboot aims to reconnect with the loyal audience that made the show iconic.

“The idea is to give back to viewers who made it historic, to reconnect with that emotion. We have been through so much in our individual journeys in 25 years. How will that reflect in the creation and the relationships that are lived through the story? I look forward to this as a creative person,” she shares.

KSBKBT is a landmark in Indian pop culture and TV history, but Smriti stresses the need to look beyond its legacy and past viewership metrics for the reboot. “I’m not in the project because I want to revisit that bar. We were at 31 in terms of TRP, and I don’t think anybody is getting to that standard. For us, it’s [a case of] ‘been there, done that’,” she explains.

The reboot’s first look and promo blended nostalgia with anticipation, and sparked major online buzz, which doesn’t surprise the 49-year-old: “The promo’s impact had people asking me even in Delhi, ‘How did the channel know what the audience wants, and how did this come out in the first promo itself?’ The promo is at the crossroads of real and reel life — it’s an indication that the makers are changing the landscape.”

She praises producer Ektaa R Kapoor for making a female protagonist the focus at a time when it was uncommon. “It was a difficult decision, but then to make it [the character] centre stage for consumption and have many producers and creators follow suit is nothing less than historic, and that too for a female producer,” she says.

KSBKBT has been labelled regressive, but Smriti defends it, highlighting how Ektaa challenged gender norms by ensuring pay parity and supportive work conditions for women. She says, “In today’s times, conversations in the professional world are about pay parity and better work conditions for women. We took care of this 25 years ago. It did not matter what my gender was, but what I delivered as an actor.”

Smriti also emphasizes that KSBKBT addressed important issues progressively. She says, “Things that are discussed today about what the show stood for were not highlighted back then. In hindsight, we stood for things that were not a part of the popular medium. We did it with elan and without being preachy,” she signs off.

The nostalgia of the early days of Indian TV is coming back as producer Ektaa R Kapoor is rebooting Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT) with the same leads — actors Smriti Irani as Tulsi Virani and Amar Upadhyay as Mihir Virani. For her, it was the right time to bring the show back, as this year marks its 25th anniversary.

“We wanted to do a short bout of episodes so that we can bring back the memories and most importantly to give back to television — a medium that gave us so much,” says Ektaa.

Ask if bringing KSBKBT back on Indian television is an attempt to reinvent the medium, and Ektaa says: “For me, reinventing TV, creating noise and high TRPs are all secondary. What’s primary is making the medium relevant in a way that people discuss what happened in a show on a dining table. If I can do that, where I can change even one mindset, where a father can be proud of his daughter’s achievements and doesn’t shoot her because of that, I’d feel extremely proud,” Ektaa asserts.

The upcoming show will see Tulsi shed light on topics that need to be talked about. Ektaa shares: “We wanted to use this powerful character, which penetrated through large parts of India, to help the country see her in an updated and newer version, talking about important issues. We are using storytelling to do what we want to do, which is create impact, awareness and change mindsets.”

The producer cites an example of the impact the protagonist of the show had: “Recently, a young man came to me and said: ‘My father used to hate you’. When I asked him why, he said, ‘Aapki wajah se meri mummy ne pehli baar unko jawaab diya, joh unhein lagta hai jawab diya par mujhe lagta hai she put her point of view across for the first time. She felt if Tulsi could do it, why can’t I?’”

After stepping away from the arc lights to focus on her career in politics, Smriti Irani is set to return to the small screen with the reboot of the TV show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She will once again embrace Tulsi Virani’s avatar — the character that made her a household name two decades ago. In an exclusive interview, Smriti opens up for the first time about her return to the small screen and why this isn’t just another acting job — it’s personal.

Ask Smriti, who started shooting for the daily soap on July 3, what it felt like to slip back into the strong, sari-clad character once again, and she says, “I’m someone who never based my professional life on a look. Why Kyunki and especially Tulsi worked is because we were more focused on the emotional bar. The emotion of being back with people that I had worked with for a long time took precedence as compared to the look, clothes and makeup. It’s as though we never left.”

Was she nervous to face the camera again after such a long break? Smriti replies, “I’ve never been nervous in front of anyone, let alone the camera. I don’t know why people thought that there’ll be something different about how I look. I guess because for 16 years, they also saw me in another avatar, and many forgot that my media and my political life ran simultaneously. It is not as though one cycle has ended and another has begun. Even in 2003, when I began my political journey, I was Tulsi. I’ve now had 22 years of experience in managing both fields. However, people haven’t seen me all spruced up in a very long time (laughs).”

Elaborating on why acting took a backseat, she explains, “You have to keep in mind that I was the first ever from the industry, who became the I&B Minister. I’m the first ever from the industry, who became an education minister. So given that you are in a constitutional position, your work is 24 X 7. You can’t hold your parliamentary obligation as a constitutional authority and say, ‘I need to go and shoot.’ That would mean great disrespect towards my parliamentary or constitutional duties.”

Talking about how her political journey has helped her evolve as an actor, she shares, “I feel that actors are meant to absorb and observe life, and a political journey helps you understand your nation and your people at a greater depth. I may be the only one who has seen constitutional office, and media success both simultaneously and complementarily. It makes you a better human being.”

Reflecting on how the character Tulsi has impacted her, she says, “I played Tulsi as close to my true emotions as I could. It was not Tulsi impacting Smriti, it was Smriti impacting Tulsi. But I was mindful that I’m playing a fictional character that stems out of beliefs or narratives. So, the only way that I could make the character resonate with people is by bringing her as close to the real me as possible.”

She adds, “People should not feel what you are on screen and what you are off screen is so divergent that they are disappointed. And this is a conversation that I had with Ekta Kapoor (producer) at the beginning of the show.” Ask her if she’s ready to dive back into the gruesome pace of TV, and she laughs and says, “I’m a politician working in television. There’s nothing that television can throw at me that politics hasn’t.”

Reboots often come with high expectations, but Smriti remains unfazed. “There is no pressure. What you will see on screen is a partnership between Ekta and me. I will translate what she gives. For us, Kyunki is our legacy,” she explains.

There are roles that are all too familiar for an actor, and then there are those that take them on a path of discovery. While stepping into the role of Mihir Virani for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 came naturally to Amar Upadhyay, being part of Hansal Mehta’s Gandhi led him to a novel character. The actor reveals that he plays Dr Pranjivan Mehta in the Pratik Gandhi-led web series that examines the man behind the Mahatma. “All I can say is the audience will see me in a different look and performance,” says Upadhyay.

Little is known about Pranjivan, who was among the Mahatma’s closest friends. A Doctor of Medicine (MD) and lawyer by education, and a jeweller by profession, he met Gandhi when the latter arrived in London in 1888 to study law. That encounter at Victoria Hotel marked the start of a deep friendship, and later Pranjivan provided financial and moral support to the leader’s movements in South Africa and India, including the Satyagraha movement. Some historical accounts suggest that he was the first to refer to Gandhi as Mahatma in 1909, when he used the term in a letter addressed to Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Gandhi’s book Hind Swaraj is said to be based on the exchanges between Pranjivan and him. 

Upadhyay is thrilled to portray a man who deeply influenced the leader. Interestingly, the actor had auditioned for another part. “But Hansal sir felt I should play Dr Pranjivan Mehta. Many are unaware of Dr Mehta, but after the show releases, people will know his role in Gandhiji’s life. It was a challenge to put myself in that era. But when I got into the attire, I slipped into that persona automatically. Plus, Hansal sir was always there to tell us if we went overboard.”

For the actor, who was briefly seen in Scoop (2023), reuniting with Hansal is always a joy. He notes that the filmmaker has unusual trust in his artistes. “He can gauge whether an actor can manage on his own or needs help. Sometimes, when he knows that two actors are capable of taking the scene [in a particular direction], he may change their style. He can calmly handle any situation. In the worst of situations, he will say, ‘No problem, ho jayega’.”

Upadhyay is equally impressed by his co-actor Pratik. “He is a simple and down-to-earth actor who is very involved in his craft,” he shares.

Pranjivan Mehta was an MD who first met Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, then 19, when the latter had arrived in London in 1888. The two became friends. Over the years, he provided financial and moral support to Gandhi’s movements in South Africa and India. He is credited as the first to refer to Gandhi as Mahatma. Historical accounts suggest that in 1909, he used the term in a letter addressed to Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

Balaji Telefilms is restructuring its business strategy with a sharper focus on movies and digital content, aiming to reduce its reliance on traditional television, which is under pressure due to pay-TV erosion and industry consolidation impacting margins.

Historically, television has been the company’s core business, with Balaji dominating primetime for years and delivering a string of popular shows.

During the company’s Q4 and FY25 earnings call on July 4, Group CEO and CFO Sanjay Dwivedi said the company is at the cusp of a turning point, driven by internal consolidation, strategic partnerships, and a redefined content distribution strategy.

“Over the next 2.5 to 3 years, movies will become the group’s primary growth driver, followed by digital, with television as the third focus area,” Dwivedi told investors. “We look at the content business broadly, whether TV or digital, alongside our motion pictures division and our B2C digital operations, including platforms like YouTube, Meta, and our proprietary app.”

A key initiative during the year was the merger of ALT Balaji and Marinating Films into Balaji Telefilms, streamlining operations, reducing cost redundancies, and enabling significant tax benefits. This consolidation is expected to improve resource allocation across its core verticals, movies, television, and digital content.

Among the notable developments was a long-term content partnership with Netflix. Described by Dwivedi as “not a one-show, one-movie, or single-format deal,” the multi-year agreement spans various formats including direct-to-OTT films, telenovelas, binge-watch series, and reality shows. The collaboration builds on Balaji’s earlier Netflix projects such as Kathal, Pagglait, and Jaane Jaan.

Balaji also revamped its digital strategy, moving away from a purely subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) model to a hybrid framework that incorporates both SVOD and ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD). “Relying solely on SVOD has been a financial drag,” said Dwivedi. “Our app now operates on both ad-supported and subscription-based models.”

This shift helped reduce ALT Balaji’s cash burn from over Rs. 120-145 crore annually to just Rs. 35 lakh per month. The platform currently has over two million active users and added 3.29 lakh subscriptions in Q4, including 1.73 lakh renewals. Still, Dwivedi emphasized that ALT Balaji would now form a “smaller piece” of the broader digital strategy, as the company expands its presence across platforms.

Balaji Telefilms, he said, is keeping production costs for its app-based content low, with shows costing around Rs. 2.5–3 lakh each. This means the app will not significantly burden the company’s balance sheet.

The platform is still a small part of the overall business, but the company plans to diversify its offerings and launch a cleaner, more refined version of the app in the future, he noted.

On the B2B front, Balaji has built a digital content order book worth over Rs. 300 crore, with projects commissioned by platforms such as JioHotstar. “Three shows were delivered in the last fiscal, two of which—Power of Paanch and Kull—performed strongly on JioHotstar. We are also in talks for second seasons,” said Dwivedi.

To further broaden its digital reach, Balaji launched Kutting, a short-form vertical video platform similar to Instagram Reels and is developing regional content in Tamil and Telugu. The company’s new YouTube channel crossed one million subscribers within a month of its launch.

The film division, which Balaji expects to be its main growth engine over the next three years, is gaining momentum. Using a pre-sale and co-production model, the company recovers 85-90% of production costs before release. “We don’t greenlight any movie until digital rights are secured,” Dwivedi noted. “Across our film portfolio, we’ve delivered a 22% return on capital over six years.”

The upcoming movie slate includes Vrushabha starring Mohanlal, set for a Diwali 2025 release; Bhooth Bangla featuring Akshay Kumar and directed by Priyadarshan; and Vvan, a collaboration with The Viral Fever starring Sidharth Malhotra. Balaji plans to double its annual movie output from three to six films.

Despite its legacy in television, the segment is facing yield and margin pressures. “TV yields remain under stress, still down by more than 25% compared to pre-COVID levels,” Dwivedi said. Flagship shows like Bade Achhe Lagte Hain Phir Se and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi are ongoing, while discussions are underway with Colors for new titles, including a fresh season of Naagin.

For FY25, Balaji reported revenue of Rs. 453 crore, down from Rs. 625 crore the previous year. However, net profit surged to Rs. 84.6 crore from Rs. 19.4 crore.

The company also raised Rs. 130.7 crore in new capital during the year, with participation from promoters. The funds are being allocated across movies (Rs. 65 crore), digital and music content (Rs. 33 crore), and general corporate purposes (Rs. 32.5 crore). “In three years, we expect movies to be our primary business, followed by digital, with television becoming the third revenue stream,” Dwivedi reiterated.

Looking ahead, Balaji is optimistic about rising content demand and platform growth. The company recently launched Kalnagri, an AI-generated show, as part of its push into tech-driven content creation.

However, Dwivedi ruled out a digital business spin-off for now. “Once the business scales and there’s enough investor interest to unlock value, we can consider evaluating that option,” he said.

The buzz around Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 (KSBKBT) has been growing louder, but fans will have to wait a little longer than expected for its return. The show’s comeback has hit a brief pause.

A well-placed source tells us, “The show had to go on air on July 3 but now the launch date has been pushed. Ektaa (R Kapoor, producer) wanted some changes in the set and is reworking that. Hence, the delay.”

Actor Amar Upadhyay, who returns as the OG Mihir Virani opposite actor Smriti Irani’s Tulsi, says that the delay has everything to do with the set being reimagined to perfection: “It’s true. The set had to be reworked. Apparently, the colour combination on screen wasn’t translating the way it should. Ektaa knows exactly what she wants — she’s a perfectionist. And this is Kyunki, not just another show. It’s a legacy. She wants to do what’s best for it.”

While the show may no longer launch on July 3 — which would’ve marked 25 years since the original went on air — filming will begin on that date. “The mahurat shoot will take place on the 25th anniversary of the original premiere. It’s symbolic. To start again on the same date, feels like a full circle moment. The nostalgia is hitting hard. But this time, we’re stepping into it with new energy, updated storytelling, and a set that’s being crafted down to the last detail,” Amar adds.

We reached out to Ektaa regarding the development, but she was unavailable for comment.

That opening song is unmistakable. Between 2000 and 2008, it would play at almost every home as families sat down post-dinner to watch the latest episode of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Will families tune in with the same enthusiasm as Ektaa R Kapoor’s show returns with a new season, 17 years after it went off air? Amar Upadhyay aka Mihir Virani hopes so. The actor began shooting for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 at Film City, Goregaon, on June 18.

Being offered the reboot felt surreal, he says. “In April, Tanusri [Dasgupta, Executive Vice President, Balaji Telefilms] called to say that Kyunki 2 was [in the works] and Ektaa wanted me to play Mihir. I said I’d love to play him again as it changed my life,” Upadhyay recalls.

Of course, Kyunki… would’ve been incomplete without Smriti Irani aka Tulsi Virani. She was the first to be roped in for the show. “Tanu said this season is Mihir and Tulsi’s story, and I said I’m on. I didn’t listen to my role; I just said yes. I trust Ektaa and her judgment,” Upadhyay adds.

The two co-stars, who built successful careers after the TV show, met at Kapoor’s birthday party earlier this month.

Upadhyay says, “Smriti and I have been in touch over the years. The day after the party, we had a narration where Ektaa narrated the entire story. Before she came in, Kamalika [Guha Thakurta], Shakti Anand, Smriti, and I were talking and laughing; we picked up where we had all left so many years ago.”

Will the show carry forward the Virani family’s story, with Mihir and Tulsi having matured as characters? “Of course,” he says, before adding, “TV content and audiences have changed. Kyunki… was different when it was first launched, and today it will be different too. We’re making it keeping Gen Z in mind. They have heard about the show from their parents. From teenagers to senior citizens, there is excitement across age groups for the show.”

After 17 years, the TV show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is set to return with Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay reprising their popular characters, Tulsi and Mihir Virani. In an exclusive chat, Amar shares, “I didn’t think Kyunki... would still be such a big deal, especially with so many shows airing today. But people from all age groups seem excited. They keep asking me about Tulsi and Mihir, about the show, and it’s made me realise how deep the connection still is. So, yes, the pressure is definitely there this time.”

Ask him how the reboot will handle the time gap, and Amar says the makers have taken that into account. “The story justifies the return of each character and how their relationships have evolved. The love between Mihir and Tulsi has matured. We’ve all grown as people and actors, and that shows in the story,” he shares.

The last time he exited the show, Mihir was written off with a dramatic death – only to be resurrected later due to overwhelming viewer demand. This time, he says with a smile, “Mihir is here to stay – right till the final episode.”

The second season of the show marks Smriti’s return to acting after 15 years. Amar says that despite Smriti’s political stature, she remains the same. He says, “When I met her at Ekta Kapoor’s house, it felt like no time had passed. We were just the same. She joked, ‘Tu boodha kab hoga?’ and I said, ‘Abhi time hai’ (laughs). She’s always been grounded, and that hasn’t changed one bit. Our interaction was exactly how it used to be 25 years ago.”

Amar doesn’t subscribe to the notion that male actors are sidelined in female-led shows. He says, “It depends on the actor. I’ve always given my best to all my shows and the audience has loved me equally in shows that were considered female-oriented. Relegation doesn’t happen when an actor is confident in his craft and knows what he brings to the table.”

That confidence also stems from the deliberate choices he has made over the years. “You can’t cast me and then underutilize me,” he says, adding, “I want to play a pivotal role — I can’t just be made to stand in a corner. That applies not just to television, but films as well. I won’t take on a token role. Even if I’m there for a short time, my character needs to be well etched. That’s what I’ve earned over the years in this industry.”

Having explored Hindi films, TV and OTT, actor Hiten Tejwani has now delved into Gujarati cinema. With Sanghavi & Sons releasing next month, the actor says working on Gujarati projects wasn’t a cakewalk for him. “Even though I understood it, it was tough to speak the language fluently. I learned my lines on set and it was exciting because I got to discover a new process. That’s the thrill of being an actor,” he says.

Hiten also returned to TV this year after a two-year gap with Meri Bhavya Life. He admits that the medium has evolved. “There used to be a fixed idea in the industry — you had to look a certain way, have a perfect body to make it. But now, that’s changing,” he explains, adding, “There are also so many shows and platforms. Attention spans have shortened, so the storytelling pace has changed. Back in the day, a wedding sequence would run for months. Today, the same thing wraps up in a few episodes. Everything’s faster and the audience wants to see more content in the given time.”

Recently, industry has been abuzz with the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT). Having been a part of the iconic show, Hiten only has gratitude for the experience:

“KSBKBT gave me so much. I have countless memories — like being called to shoot suddenly after wrapping another show, not knowing what I was getting into. But I just went with it, and it turned out to be a big step in my career.”

While he has forayed across mediums, Hiten insists that he is often labelled as still a ‘TV actor’. However, instead of lamenting, he rejoices in it. “I don’t mind it. TV gave me everything and I know what I’m doing. I’ve also done OTT, films, regional cinema, theatre, and people who know me and follow my work, understand that. I don’t need to prove anything. My work speaks for itself,” he ends.