Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi – Ekta Kapoor Marks 26 Years of Television Landmark

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi – Producer Ekta Kapoor has marked 26 years of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, the long-running family drama that became one of the defining programmes of Hindi television. Kapoor shared a video compilation featuring moments from the series and expressed gratitude to the creative team, cast members, broadcasters and production staff associated with the show.

The serial first premiered on July 3, 2000, and soon became a major fixture in Indian households. Centred on Tulsi Virani and the influential Virani family, the programme built a large following during its original run and helped shape the family-drama format on television.

Ekta Kapoor Shares Message for the Show’s Team

In her social media post, Kapoor described the show as a turning point in her career. She thanked Star Plus, the Balaji Telefilms team, the writers, actors and several individuals who contributed to the production over the years.

Her post also included a special mention for Smriti Irani, who played the central character of Tulsi Virani. The actor later reshared Kapoor’s post and reflected on the memories associated with the long journey of the series.

Cast Members Recall Their Association With the Drama

Several actors linked to the programme also joined the anniversary celebrations online. Parakh Madan, who plays Niyati in the newer version of the show, thanked Kapoor for giving her an opportunity to be part of a television franchise with a long cultural presence.

Ritu Chaudhary Seth, who portrayed Shobha in the original series, also shared a video clip and described herself as fortunate to have been associated with the show. Her post acknowledged the contribution of Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms in creating a project that remained popular for years.

A Family Saga That Defined an Era

The first season ran for nearly eight years and was among the longest-running Hindi television dramas of its time. Its cast included Smriti Irani, Amar Upadhyay, Ronit Roy, Sudha Shivpuri, Apara Mehta, Mandira Bedi, Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan and Mouni Roy, among others.

At the centre of the narrative were Tulsi and Mihir Virani, played by Irani and Upadhyay. Their relationship became one of the most recognised on-screen pairings of the early 2000s and remained closely associated with the show’s success.

The franchise returned with a new version in August 2025, nearly 25 years after the original series began. Smriti Irani returned as Tulsi, while Amar Upadhyay once again took on the role of Mihir. Apara Mehta, who played Savita Virani in the earlier season, is not part of the current edition.

Storylines That Prompted Wider Discussion

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was remembered not only for its family conflicts and emotional storytelling, but also for episodes that generated public discussion. One of the most widely remembered developments involved Mihir’s return after the character had exited the narrative. The decision followed strong audience demand and became a notable moment in Indian television history.

Another major storyline involved Tulsi taking action against her son Ansh after he attempted to sexually assault his wife, Nandini. The episode drew attention for addressing domestic abuse and marital rape at a time when such subjects were rarely explored in mainstream television drama.

The programme also featured an emotionally difficult euthanasia storyline involving Savita Virani. The plot led to conversations about mercy killing, personal suffering and the ethical questions surrounding end-of-life decisions.

Title Sequence Remains a Familiar Television Memory

The show’s title track and opening visuals remain among the most familiar images from Indian television. The sequence showed Tulsi welcoming viewers into the Virani family home, Shantiniketan, while introducing key characters in their individual settings.

More than two decades after its debut, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi continues to be remembered for its characters, story arcs and influence on the television industry.