Tulsi Returns: Smriti Irani’s First Look from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot Leaks Online, Fans Rejoice

StarPlus has officially unveiled the first promo of the rebooted Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, featuring Smriti Irani reprising her iconic role as Tulsi Virani.

The promotional video, posted on the network’s Instagram, sparked excitement as it confirmed the show’s air date and platform availability.

Promo Hints at Tulsi’s Comeback

The promo begins with a family dining in a restaurant, watching television as the title song of the original show starts playing. The conversation shifts to whether Smriti Irani will return to the serial.

As the discussion unfolds, Tulsi appears on-screen, watering a tulsi plant. With a calm smile and folded hands, she says, “Zaroor aaoongi, kyuki humara 25 saalon ka rishta jo hai. Waqt aagaya hai apse phir milne ka.” Dressed in a purple and golden saree with her hair in a bun, Irani confirms her return.

The caption of the Instagram post read: “Kya aap abhi bhi vishwaas nahi kar paa rahe? 25 saal ke baad, Tulsi Virani laut rahi hai, ek nayi kahaani ke saath!” The show will air from July 29 at 10:30 pm on StarPlus and will also be available on JioHotstar.

Irani’s Statement on Rejoining the Show

Smriti Irani, who transitioned from acting to politics, described her return as a meaningful one. As per PTI, Irani stated, “In contributing to this next chapter, I hope to honour the legacy of Kyunki—and help shape a future where India’s creative industries aren’t just celebrated, but truly empowered.”

She reflected on the show’s impact, saying it gave her a lasting bond with millions of households.

“It gave me more than commercial success—it gave me a connection with millions of homes, a place in the emotional fabric of a generation,” she said, adding that she returns “not just as an actor, but as someone who believes in the power of storytelling.”

Background of the Original Series

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi originally aired from 2000 to 2008 and was created by Ekta Kapoor.

The show featured Smriti Irani alongside Amar Upadhyay, Apara Mehta, and Hiten Tejwani, and was a cultural phenomenon with more than 1,800 episodes.

It held the top spot on Indian television for seven straight years. The reboot marks its return exactly 25 years after its initial premiere, which was on July 3, 2000.

Buzz Around the Show’s Comeback

StarPlus made the announcement on Instagram alongside the first look of Tulsi Virani.

The caption read, “#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.”

In the promo, Tulsi is seen speaking directly to viewers, reassuring them of her return with the words, “Zaroor aaoongi. Kyunki itne saalon ka rishtha jo hai. Waqt aa gaya hai aapse phir milne ka.”

Irani Balances Politics and Acting

In an interview with NDTV, Irani addressed questions about her dual roles as a politician and actor. She emphasized that her main focus remains politics, stating, “It [Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi] is a side project.”

She noted that she is “a full-time politician and a part-time actor,” acknowledging her recognizability while reiterating her political commitments.

Addressing Criticism and Defending the Show’s Legacy

Irani also responded to criticism about the original show glamorising regressive values. She dismissed the backlash, stating, “Couldn’t care less, because the criticism was not constructive or informed.”

She emphasized that the show brought significant topics to the forefront, saying, “The show spoke about marital rape 25 years ago. The show spoke about euthanasia 25 years ago. Those were issues that were not even touched by mainstream cinema.”

She also mentioned the show’s progressive stand on gender pay parity, noting, “One’s talent and not gender decided how much one will get paid.” Recalling how the original show transformed a dead timeslot into prime time, Irani credited Ekta Kapoor’s vision.

Looking Ahead

The reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is set to air on StarPlus at 10:30 pm from July 29 and will stream on Disney+Hotstar. While not much about the new storyline has been disclosed, the promo and Smriti Irani’s return have already created significant anticipation.

Fans of the original are eagerly awaiting the new chapter in this iconic family saga.