Apara Mehta On Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: ‘Best Way To Pay Tribute'
Last Updated:
The original Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi ran from 2000 to 2008, becoming one of Indian television's most popular cultural phenomena.
The news of the cult show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi returning to the TV screens with a new season has left viewers excited. Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay are expected to reprise their roles as Tulsi and Mihir from the original version. In the latest, Apara Mehta, who was a crucial member of the show, reacted to the development. The original edition will complete 25 years this July.
In conversation with Zoom, Apara Mehta said, 'This is the best way to pay tribute to Kyunki's 25 years. It cannot be anything else." Moreover, the actress noted that she shared a close bond with many of the cast members. She said, 'We colleagues, are friends for a lifetime. We always make it a point to meet on the 3rd of July, and every year we do that. All of us meet and have dinner or lunch together. This time, because it was the 25th year, we were all planning that let's take a trip for 3 days."
Sharing her excitement, Apara Mehta mentioned how happy she was to learn about the new season. She added, 'I knew that my character had died. Savita had died. I have no idea how they are going to begin or what they are going to do. But as I said, this is the right way to pay tribute to that iconic show, which changed the history of Indian television."
Smriti Irani will reprise the iconic role that defined early 2000s Indian television. She will be seen as Tulsi Virani, which earned her a household name. Amar Upadhyay will also return as Mihir Virani, reigniting one of Indian television's most famous on-screen couples. Smriti reportedly signed the contract for the project recently, and has already begun filming in the city with Z+ security. Fans of the original series may anticipate a nostalgic journey with a modern twist. The original Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi ran from 2000 to 2008, becoming one of Indian television's most popular cultural phenomena. Shobha and Ekta Kapoor produced the series under the brand of Balaji Telefilms.
First Published:
June 14, 2025, 14:47 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
39 minutes ago
- News18
Is Sidhu Charging Triple Archana Puran Singh's Fee For The Great Indian Kapil Show Comeback?
Last Updated: Navjot Singh Sidhu is back on The Great Indian Kapil Show after 6 years. Reports suggest he's earning more than Archana Puran Singh. Here's what we know. When it comes to comedy on Indian television, Archana Puran Singh is practically a household staple. Her infectious laugh and long-standing association with Kapil Sharma's comedy universe have made her an irreplaceable figure. And now, as The Great Indian Kapil Show gears up for its much-anticipated fourth season on Netflix, there's more buzz than ever—not just about the celebrity guests, but also the judges' paychecks. Archana has been a constant presence in Kapil's comic ensemble since she replaced Navjot Singh Sidhu in 2019. But this season marks a major shake-up, as Sidhu is returning to the judge's chair alongside Archana for the first time in six years. Naturally, fans are curious—how much are they making per episode? According to a report by Siasat, Archana Puran Singh is estimated to earn between ₹10 to ₹12 lakh per episode for her participation on the show. While these numbers are not officially confirmed, they offer a glimpse into just how valuable her presence is to the format. Known for her boisterous, spontaneous laughter, Archana recently addressed online trolls and jokes made by Kapil himself about her being 'paid to laugh." In a candid conversation with The Indian Express, she responded with characteristic wit: 'Yes, I am paid to judge a comedy show, which is what I initially started doing with Comedy Circus. Now, I am paid to not judge Kapil's show, but to be a celebrity guest. I don't even know what my role is. Kapil only keeps joking. How am I paid to laugh? In a way, I am paid to enjoy the show—and because my enjoyment is very loud and spontaneous, it translates to I am paid to laugh." But what about Navjot Singh Sidhu, whose return has created quite the buzz? As per Filmibeat, Sidhu is reportedly charging a whopping ₹30 to ₹40 lakh per episode—nearly triple what Archana is speculated to earn. While he hasn't held the judge's post since being removed from the show in 2019 following his controversial remarks on the Pulwama attack, Sidhu did recently appear as a guest with his wife, Harbhajan Singh, and Geeta Basra. Despite the pay gap, Archana seems unfazed. With her trademark laugh and on-screen charm, she continues to hold her own—cementing her legacy not just as a judge, but as an entertainer who truly enjoys what she does. The Great Indian Kapil Show will begin streaming its fourth season on Netflix starting June 21, with Salman Khan appearing as the opening episode's first celebrity guest. Laughter, banter, and unexpected moments await—along with two judges, both well-paid to enjoy the show in their own inimitable ways.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Housefull 5 box office collection day 9: Akshay Kumar's comedy drama becomes his 7th highest-grosser, earns Rs…, beats OMG 2 and…
Following a solid first week, Akshay Kumar starrer Housefull 5 has performed decently up to this point. With few significant Hindi releases available, the movie performed strongly on its second Saturday, clearly indicating that it can still achieve a successful outcome at the Indian box office. Here's how much it earned on its 9th day. Housefull 5 Rakes… According to the most recent report from the trade website, Sacnilk, Housefull 5 saw a significant increase on its second Saturday, day 9, generating Rs 10.21 crores. Including yesterday's Rs 6.60 crores, this represents an increase of 54.69%. In total, the magnum opus has garnered Rs 150.39 crore net from the Indian box office. The total domestic collection, including taxes, amounts to Rs 177.46 crores. Having amassed Rs 150.39 crores, Housefull 5 has now exceeded the total earnings of Akshay Kumar's 2023 OMG 2 (Rs 150 crores), ranking it as Akshay Kumar's 7th highest-grossing film ever at the Indian box office. Today, it will surpass Akshay's 2019 Kesari (Rs 153 crores) to secure the 6th position. Housefull 5 To Continue Its Run Until The Release Of…. In terms of global earnings, the comedy-thriller has accumulated Rs 207 crores, and with the collections from the second Saturday, it should easily reach between Rs 217-220 crores globally. Regarding occupancy, Housefull 5 recorded a total of 16.39% on Saturday, with morning shows at 7.77%, afternoon shows at 20.41%, and evening shows at 20.98%. Based on the current trend, the film is projected to make double digits on Sunday, surpassing the Rs 150 crore milestone locally and achieving Rs 225-230 crore globally. Until Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par hits theaters on June 20, which is another one of the most anticipated releases of 2025. The sports comedy drama is reportedly releasing on 3000 screens across the country, which is expected to impact the business of Akshay Kumar's film. Now, all eyes are on the box office trend of Housefull 5 and its performance in comparison to Aamir Khan's film.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Balaji Telefilms expects stronger FY26 as digital and film units grow
Balaji Telefilms, backed by actor Jeetendra Kapoor and his family, expects the financial year 2025–26 (FY26) to be better than FY25 in terms of business and profitability. From FY27, the company anticipates reaping the benefits of its scaled movie business, digital segment growth, and realisation of its digital content order book, alongside a steady television business. Sanjay Diwedi, group chief executive officer and chief financial officer, Balaji Telefilms, said the growth expectation in FY26 is ₹250 crore for the TV segment, over ₹100 crore for the motion picture segment, and around ₹50–55 crore for the digital segment. Additionally, the B2B (business-to-business) part of the digital segment, which has an order book of over ₹350 crore, will contribute depending on its release schedule over the next two financial years. Given the growing prominence of the digital segment due to OTT (over-the-top) platforms, Diwedi noted that the TV segment will continue to grow from ₹250 crore to ₹300 crore. However, the company's motion pictures and digital segments are expected to outgrow television soon. He explained that the TV business was under stress in the last six months of FY25, and this weakness is expected to continue in the April–June quarter of FY26, due to several long-running shows ending or nearing their end during this period. Currently, Balaji Telefilms has two shows on air, and Diwedi expects this segment to return to normal from the July–September quarter onwards. He pointed out that some improvement will be seen in the numbers from the April–June quarter of FY26. Till the quarter ended December, all six of its shows were on air. In the first nine months of FY25, revenue from the TV business stood at ₹194.2 crore, according to its earnings release. The company has not released the Q4FY25 results yet due to the merger of its subsidiaries, ALT Digital Media Entertainment and Marinating Films, with Balaji Telefilms. 'It is a cyclical phase. This largely happens in the TV business every four to five years, as it takes time to relaunch shows or return to the normal six shows on air,' Diwedi noted. To strengthen its digital segment, the company recently entered a long-term creative collaboration with Netflix for a range of projects across different storytelling formats. Separately, Balaji Telefilms is looking to diversify its digital business unit in the coming years. This follows the ban on several Pakistani dramas in India, which originally featured over 50 episodes per show on YouTube. Nitin Burman, chief revenue officer, Balaji Telefilms, said the company has started producing original and long-format shows on YouTube, taking advantage of the void left by the removal of Pakistani dramas. Its show Pyaar Kii Raahein, which has 70 episodes, garnered over 200 million views on the platform. 'The company is taking its YouTube business ahead with a clear focus on maximising returns,' Burman said. Its OTT streaming platform, ALTT, had faced losses ranging from ₹145 crore to ₹125 crore in earlier years. Now, the platform has nearly eliminated those losses. Diwedi added that the digital segment has minimal cash burn, with the goal of becoming cash-positive and scaling gradually in the coming years. However, he noted that it is still early—by about six months—for the company to decide which particular digital business segment to push further. Through its motion pictures segment, the company also plans to expand its existing IPs (intellectual property) with films such as Laila Manju (which performed better at the box office during its re-release), Ragini MMS, and Shootout at Wadala, among others.
