Smriti Irani, currently back as the beloved Tulsi Virani in the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, recently addressed the ongoing comparisons between her show and the popular daily soap Anupamaa, starring Rupali Ganguly. When asked in an interview about being pitted against Anupamaa and its lead actress, Irani, a seasoned politician and former Union Minister, provided a candid and rather pointed response.
“I don’t see them as competition,” Irani stated. She elaborated, “If someone is reaching number 30 in TRPs, then you can consider them our competition. We were at the forefront 25 years ago. If you have the ability to be remembered for 25 years, then we can talk about competition.”
Known for her direct approach, the actor-turned-politician highlighted Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’s past dominance on television, marked by record-breaking ratings. She further emphasized the need for fairness in any competitive comparison, saying, “If you have been a three-time MP, a cabinet minister for a decade, a BJP member for 25 years—if you want to compete, you must be fair to everyone in the so-called competitive arena. Do you measure up on all these standards? Then, compete. You can’t have someone who has just started something and say, ‘Compete with Smriti Irani.’”
Reflecting on her show’s enduring legacy, Irani pointed out the rarity of a daily soap making a comeback after 25 years and still receiving such widespread affection. “So, talking about competition, or even referring to such a comparison, is unfair. You’ll never reach 30 [in ratings], and you won’t consistently be number one for eight years, as we were. The fact that we have faced competitive mediums, and yet managed to return after 25 years—that’s truly remarkable.”
Irani also touched upon Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’s continued relevance in the current OTT-dominated landscape. “It’s not as if I’m only acting or telling stories on television today. I have both platforms. When you look at the viewing numbers on OTT, which is a very challenging market to crack, it’s incredibly complex. For a show that’s considered ‘old school’ to resonate so strongly on OTT, that speaks volumes,” she added.
Furthermore, Irani gave credit to Ekta Kapoor for creating a television phenomenon. She recalled how the massive success of Kyunki led Kapoor’s production company to become one of the first Indian television entities listed on the stock exchange. “So, am I competing with anyone on the Stock Exchange? These discussions about competition, I think, are rather foolish,” she concluded.
About Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
Launched in 2000, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi marked a significant cultural moment, revolutionizing Indian television and establishing Smriti Irani as a household name. After 25 years, she is back as Tulsi, alongside Amar Upadhyay reprising his role as Mihir. The show is currently available for viewing on JioHotstar.