Nostalgia is hitting hard as Smriti Irani reprises her iconic role of Tulsi Virani in the reboot of ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.’ The show, which first aired 25 years ago, is back on Star Plus and JioCinema, bringing back memories of a time when families gathered around the TV to watch the dramatic twists of the Virani family.
The premiere episode kicked off with Tulsi and Mihir celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary. The scene is familiar—Tulsi praying near a tulsi plant, reciting the Gayatri Mantra, just like in the original. The show’s essence seems unchanged, tapping into the same emotional core that made it a sensation in the early 2000s.
For many viewers, the return of ‘Kyunki’ is a trip down memory lane. Fans took to social media to share their excitement, recalling how they watched the show with their families. One fan wrote, ‘No words can describe the feeling. It’s pure nostalgia.’ Another reminisced about watching it with her grandmother, who is no longer around.
But the big question remains: can the show capture the attention of today’s audience? The entertainment landscape has drastically changed since 2000. With OTT platforms offering a plethora of content, will ‘Kyunki’ hold its ground? The reboot has made some updates, like references to social media and late-night parties, but the core remains rooted in tradition.
The original ‘Kyunki’ was more than just a show—it was a cultural phenomenon. From Karan Johar referencing it in ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ to Anurag Kashyap using its opening montage in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur,’ its influence was undeniable. However, recent reboots like ‘Kasauti Zindagi Ki’ and ‘Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai’ didn’t quite manage to recreate their past glory.
Will ‘Kyunki’ break the trend? The first episode ended with a hint of new challenges for Tulsi, setting the stage for more drama. Fans of the original are tuning in, but the real test will be whether it can attract a younger audience accustomed to faster-paced, modern storytelling.
For now, the show is banking on nostalgia, and it’s working—at least for those who grew up with Tulsi and Mihir. Whether it can sustain that magic in today’s competitive TV space is something only time will tell.