New Delhi: Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates greeted Indian television’s favourite Bahu, Tulsi Virani, with a ‘Jai Shri Krishna’. The new season of the 2000s popular daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi released a new promo, shared on Instagram in the morning, confirming his cameo.
The two are shown speaking over a video call, with Tulsi greeting Gates. Tulsi is then heard saying: “Bahut acha laga yeh jaanke ki aap seedh America mere parivaar se jud rahe hai. Aap ka hum sab besabhri se inteezaar kar rahe hai (It feels wonderful to know that you are connecting directly with my family all the way from America. We are all eagerly waiting for you.)”
Producer Ekta Kapoor, the creator of the show, commented, “The best part was the writing. The absolutely delightful Jai Shree Krishna said so sweetly by Bill Gates.”
The Instagram post, shared by Smriti Irani along with Star Plus, is captioned, “Aur iss kahani mein jude hain duniya ke sabse bade changemaker — Bill Gates, ek soch ke saath: har maa aur har bachcha rahe surakshit aur swasth. (This story is now joined by the world’s biggest changemaker with a single initiative–every mother and child should be healthy)
Gates has made appearances on popular television shows like Frasier, The Big Bang Theory, and Silicon Valley. But this will be his first appearance in an Indian television show.
This new season of the show has delved into social issues like aging, body shaming, and false domestic violence cases. With the latest episode to be aired tonight. The focus is on maternal and newborn healthcare.
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New and bold TV
While celebrity appearances on television aren’t new, they are typically limited to film stars promoting upcoming releases. But in February last year, actor Ranveer Singh broke the pattern, appearing alongside adult film actor Johnny Sins in a commercial for the men’s health brand Bold Care.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi just took the idea of celebrity appearances one step ahead.
The current storyline follows Tulsi as she struggles to raise her daughter, Pari, the right way.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)