In a recent interview, actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani discussed the initial struggles and eventual triumph of her iconic show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Irani said that when the show first aired in 2000, it was on late at night. Even so, it became a cultural phenomenon and a defining event in Indian television history.
Getting over a “strange and hard-to-find” time slot
Irani said that there were a lot of problems with the show’s launch. “That story was once told on TV at a very strange and obscure hour, pushed to a late-night slot because a female producer was very passionate about it,” she said. There was a big gap between our show and the big show that Star Plus had planned for 9 PM. She said that the show’s success was a historic feat that went against what people thought would happen. Irani said, “Our show made history.” “People claim that history doesn’t repeat itself, but I believe we proved them wrong. We did the same thing again. I don’t think it’s conceivable for someone to say that a show is on now and will be replayed or relived 25 years from now. So, getting that kind of milestone on Indian TV is no little effort.”
The Cultural Phenomenon’s Legacy
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was a groundbreaking show that first aired in 2000 and rapidly became popular with millions. The story was about Tulsi Virani, who was the perfect daughter-in-law for the rich Virani family. The show looked at family fights, customs, and changes throughout time. Its emotive storytelling and dramatic narrative twists made the “saas-bahu” genre a fixture in Indian homes. The play lasted for eight years, and its cast became famous. JioCinema and StarPlus currently have a remake of the series with Smriti and Amar, as well as other actors like Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan.