In a remarkable moment for Indian television, Union Minister and actor Smriti Irani has stepped back into the world that made her a household name — Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, now reimagined in a brand-new avatar after 25 years. The revival is already making waves, but for Irani, the return is more than just nostalgic — it’s deeply symbolic.
Speaking at FICCI Frames 2025, Irani offered rare insight into her journey from actor to politician and now back to the screen, sharing how the evolution of both the show and its creator, Ekta Kapoor, mirrors her own transformation over the years.
“Back then, I never saw myself as a part-time politician. I was beginning a political journey from the grassroots — while others parachuted into top positions. I knew that if you build your career from the ground up, the structure you create will be more resilient and resolute,” she said.
Her return to acting after two and a half decades is not just a personal milestone — it’s also a reunion with a longtime collaborator whose own path has been just as dynamic.
“What’s fascinating is that I return to my craft 25 years later with a creator who herself has had a phenomenal journey — not limited to just one medium or form of communication. She has moved fluidly across platforms and formats, and is now telling stories in a completely new way, on the same medium but with a fresh vertical and thought.”
Irani emphasized that the opportunity to work with Kapoor again — not just as a producer but as a friend — brings an entirely new creative energy to the table.
“25 years ago, as an actor, you could only give feedback on your scenes. You’d never dare to share your thoughts on the storyline with Ekta Kapoor,” she laughed. “But now, I see her amused when I do just that. It shows how far we’ve both come — and how much trust and mutual respect now exists.”
What also excites her is the platform the new Kyunki exists on — blending traditional television with its digital OTT offshoot. “The fact that the show lives not just on TV, but also echoes in the OTT space, proves just how far the storytelling — and the storyteller — have come. That’s the exciting part for me,” Irani concluded.
In many ways, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 isn’t just a revival - it’s a celebration of endurance, evolution, and the full-circle journey of two women who have redefined what it means to lead, both on-screen and off.