New Delhi: The first episode of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2, produced by Ekta Kapoor, premiered on Star Plus on 29 July.
After more than a decade, Smriti Irani reprised her iconic role as Tulsi Virani, the ideal daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, and mother of Indian television.
This time, Tulsi returns to guide and protect a new generation of the Indian family from the rising use of social media and falling sanskar.
Now a seasoned politician, Irani steps back into the world of Shanti Niketan, which has been reimagined to reflect a more modern aesthetic. The house has a modular kitchen, treadmills in spacious bedrooms, and extravagant chandeliers, among other changes.
Just as she did in the first instalment, Tulsi introduces the Virani family with the same nostalgic jingle—Rishton Ke Bhi Roop Badalte Hain.
Kapoor has brought back the old values of her show, just in a modern set-up. It incorporates elements such as social media addiction, references to paparazzi like Viral Bhayani (referred to as Viral Dayani in the show), children sneaking in late, and a girl hiding the fact that she has a boyfriend from her family.
Despite the evolved backdrop, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 appears to be a repackaged version of the original season.
Many classic tropes remain unchanged, including sudden weather changes being used to showcase conflict (sunshine turning into stormy weather), property disputes, and the presence of overly virtuous lead characters.
Yet again, the family relies heavily on Tulsi for everything from their newspapers and protein shakes to their towels. It reinforces the long-standing narrative that women in the household shoulder an overwhelming amount of responsibility, even with an army of servants at their disposal.
Also read: ‘Wanted to be like Tulsi’—how Kyunki Saas… revived the joint family fantasy
‘OG soap opera’
The initial reaction from the audience has been deeply rooted in nostalgia. But the fact that a 25-year-old narrative has been revived, highlights the lack of innovation in Indian television today.
Yet, the premiere has undeniably sparked renewed interest. Many posted screenshots of their television sets while watching the daily soap.
“I was crying like a baby..so many memories with this title track..Also Iconic saas bahu duo savita nd tulsi..Family values and bgm,” a user wrote.
Another said: “Bro only #kyunkisaasbhikabhibahuthi2 could make me watch ITV again. Watched it after years with family together and that nostalgia hit hard.”
Nostalgia features in almost all the posts about the show.
“Currently watching Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and lowkey vibing to the OG soap opera that raised a generation,” X user Gauraav Sainii wrote.
It’s all about family ties and fond memories. “Nostalgia is comforting. So many fond memories of watching Kyunki with Mom and Nani (during summer vacations),” wrote another X user.
The first season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi showcased moral collapses like sexual violence, murders, and kidnapping. Spouses cheated on each other. Tulsi, who not only killed her own son Ansh, also decided to take her mother-in-law Savita off life support, even though euthanasia is illegal in India. These tropes worked back in the day.
However, the world has changed over the last 25 years. Now, it will be interesting to see whether season 2 manages to reflect modern-day challenges and capture interest at the same time.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)