New Delhi: Former education minister Smriti Irani is reprising her role as Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor’s magnum opus Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi after 17 years. Her return to acting was announced through a promotional video on Instagram. The video immediately started circulating on social media, with fans, other actors, and even politicians reacting to the upcoming show.
Priti Gandhi, a political analyst for the BJP, wished Irani on her return to acting after two decades. “Even after 25 years, Tulsi Virani continues to hold a special place in people’s hearts,” she wrote on X.
A former Star employee shared a nostalgic post about how the show ruled every home. Congress handles have, however, used it as an opportunity to mock the former minister.
The official X account for Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee posted a cheeky reaction to Irani’s announcement, even while wishing her “a great acting career ahead”. The post thanked Kishori Lal Sharma, who defeated Irani in Amethi, indicating that her loss prompted the former minister to return to TV.
Surendra Rajput, the National Media Panelist of Congress, also took a dig at Irani. He wrote in Hindi that Congress is helping everyone return to their original professions, which the BJP had taken away from them, adding that no one would remain unemployed.
A former BJP social media strategist shared a pointed response to those mocking Irani’s new stint. “Trolls & opposition memes can’t dim the light of a woman who rose on her own merit,” wrote Shobhit Agarwal.
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A 25-year-long relationship
The promotional video starts with a family dining and debating whether Irani will return to the show, as the title track of the serial plays on a TV. The viewers then get a glimpse of Irani watering a tulsi plant. She smiles, looks into the camera, and says: “Zaroor aaungi, kyuki humara 25 saalon ka rishta jo hai. Waqt aagaya hai apse phir milne ka (I’ll definitely come because we have a 25-year-long relationship. The time has come to meet you again).”
It has over 23 lakh views and 70,000 likes on Instagram.
“Kya aap abhi bhi vishwaas nahi kar paa rahe? 25 saal ke baad, Tulsi Virani laut rahi hai, ek nayi kahaani ke saath (Are you still not convinced? After 25 years, Tulsi Virani is returning with a new story),” read the caption.
Irani’s return has created anticipation among TV actors too.
Actor Hiten Tejwani, who played the role of Tulsi’s son in the serial, wrote “Super” under the Instagram Reel.
“This show is legacy and pure childhood memories,” wrote TV actor Shivya Pathania, who played Sita in the series, Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi also featured Amar Upadhyay, Apara Mehta, and Mouni Roy. Created by Ekta Kapoor in 2000, the serial aired for right years, with over 1,800 episodes. The show will return to Star Plus on 29 July.
(Edited by Prasanna Jayraj Bachchhav)