Producer Ekta Kapoor, the queen of Indian television, revisited the legacy of her groundbreaking soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT) at FICCI Frames 2025 in Mumbai on October 8, 2025, sharing the thrill and challenges of its revival after 25 years. Joined by original lead Smriti Irani (Tulsi Virani), the session titled “Revolutionizing Content: Women, Television, and 25 Years of Kyunki” marked a parallel milestone for the show and the event. Aired on Star Plus from 2000 to 2008, KSBKBT redefined saas-bahu dramas with 1,800 episodes, peaking at 15.4 million viewers per episode. The reboot, Season 2, premiered on July 29, 2025, in its original 10:30 PM slot on Star Plus, with simulcasts on JioCinema and Sony LIV, blending nostalgia with modern twists.
The Thrill of Revival: A Bold Gamble
Ekta Kapoor admitted the decision to resurrect KSBKBT was “damn scary.” “I was firmly against relaunching it, especially since it’s completing 25 years in 2025,” she confessed, citing the risk of tarnishing a cultural icon. Yet, the thrill of innovation won: “If we are anything, we are bold and not scared.” The reboot, directed by Rajesh Ram Singh and produced by Balaji Telefilms, retains Tulsi’s essence but updates it for Gen Z, tackling judgments women face in family and society. “Every medium has its euphoria, but nothing matched the original’s magic,” Ekta said, praising Irani’s return as Tulsi. The show has climbed to second in TRP charts, proving timeless stories endure.
Challenges: Evolving from Saas-Bahu Stereotypes
Reviving a 25-year-old soap posed hurdles. Ekta reflected on the limited input actors had in the original: “Twenty-five years ago, you could express an opinion on a scene, but never on storylines—you wouldn’t dare to do that with me.” Today, collaboration thrives, with Irani sharing ideas freely. “Ekta gets amused when I have opinions now—it’s a reflection of how far creators have come,” Irani noted. The reboot addresses regressive tropes, empowering women beyond saas-bahu conflicts amid OTT’s rise. “We tackle various judgments women endure,” Ekta explained, crediting Irani for elevating characters: “She makes your role come alive better than imagined—envy and admiration in one.” Challenges included balancing nostalgia with relevance, but the duo’s evolved bond—Ekta calls Irani “family”—ensured authenticity.
Human Impact: A Bond Beyond the Screen
Ekta and Smriti’s relationship has deepened over the past 25 years. “Smriti spoils you for other actors,” Ekta gushed, recalling Irani’s intuitive grasp of Tulsi. Irani, now a politician, credited the show for her stardom: “It was a limited perspective then, but now I voice storylines.” Their FICCI chat, moderated by Vani Tripathi Tikoo, highlighted women’s evolving roles in TV, from 2000s melodrama to 2025’s empowerment narratives. Fans on X trended #Kyunki25Years, with 1 million posts celebrating the revival’s 15.4 million viewers, proving saas-bahu tales still resonate in India’s 780-language diverse society.
A Legacy Reimagined
Ekta Kapoor’s KSBKBT revival at FICCI Frames 2025 isn’t nostalgia—it’s evolution. Thrilling yet challenging, it asks: Can 25-year-old magic endure? With Irani’s Tulsi and Ekta’s boldness, the answer is a resounding yes, rewriting TV’s timeless script.
-By Manoj H