logo
Smriti Irani, Amar Upadhyay visit Ekta Kapoor amid ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot rumours

Smriti Irani, Amar Upadhyay visit Ekta Kapoor amid ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot rumours

The Hindu4 hours ago

Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay, best known for their iconic roles as Tulsi and Mihir in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, were recently spotted visiting producer Ekta Kapoor's residence, reigniting speculation about a much-anticipated reboot of the classic TV show.
Originally airing from 2000 to 2008, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi became a defining show of Indian television. Produced by Ekta and Shobha Kapoor under the Balaji Telefilms banner, the daily soap broke viewership records and shaped the formula for Hindi serials for nearly a decade. Now, over 15 years later, a new version is reportedly in development, with some familiar faces expected to return.
Smriti Irani, who joined the BJP in 2003, has held several key government positions, including Minister for Human Resource Development and Women and Child Development. Reports indicate that Smriti Irani is set to make her comeback to acting after a long hiatus, during which she established herself as a prominent political figure. With Z+ security in place, filming for her new project has reportedly begun, confirming her return to the screen.
Amar Upadhyay, who portrayed Mihir Virani, was also seen at the meeting with Kapoor. Industry insiders suggest that he too could reprise his character in the limited-series format of the reboot. The new season is expected to span approximately 150 episodes but is structured to potentially extend to a longer run that could possibly mirror the original's 2000-episode trajectory.
Though details remain under wraps, sources close to the production confirm that shooting is already underway. A promotional campaign featuring multiple cast members from the original series is reportedly in the pipeline. There are also rumours of cameo appearances by former cast members like Mouni Roy and Karishma Tanna.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US honoured to host foreign students: Trump softens F-1, J-1 visa stance
US honoured to host foreign students: Trump softens F-1, J-1 visa stance

Business Standard

time31 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

US honoured to host foreign students: Trump softens F-1, J-1 visa stance

It's an honour to host foreign students in the US, said President Donald Trump in a marked departure from his administration's recent policies. Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said, 'It's our honour to have them, frankly, we want to have foreign students, but we want them to be checked.' Trump was referring to recent visa restrictions on students from China. He had made a similar statement in June last year while campaigning for re-election, proposing automatic green cards for international graduates from US colleges. 'It's so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, from the greatest schools,' Trump said on a podcast in June 2024. 'That is going to end on Day One.' That promise did not materialise. In fact, since returning to office, Trump's policies on foreign students have taken a sharp turn. A flurry of administrative moves—from halting visa interviews to blocking student entries—has drawn criticism from universities and triggered legal action. A proclamation signed late Wednesday barred nearly all foreign nationals from entering the US to attend Harvard. A federal judge blocked the order the next day, but confusion continues to ripple across. Last month Trump suggested that foreign students should be limited to 15 per cent. Crackdown meets pushback Education consultants in India say the US remains attractive for many students, despite the uncertainty. Trump's latest remarks have been received with optimism. Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, said students should focus on their academics and not let policy shifts distract them. 'My very strong public advice to students has been to focus on studies, work hard and enjoy your time there, and figure out life ahead,' he posted on X. 'Yes, your opinion is important, and you are a free-speech kid in the world of today, but guess what—if America in all its design and glory is not going to be ok with expression of a public protest topic, then no one else, including your home countries, is going to be in that place as well. Every single place on this planet has an agenda and we live at a point of time where they will put that first.' Rahul Subramaniam, co-founder of Athena Education, told Business Standard Indian students were essential to the functioning of many US universities. 'Many public universities rely on their presence for both academic strength and financial sustainability,' he said. 'We see the current developments as a moment of flux, not a structural shift.' He added that proposals such as granting green cards to top graduates suggest efforts to retain global talent are still alive within the system. Abhijit Zaveri, founder and director at Career Mosaic, told Business Standard most deportation cases making headlines involve violations of visa conditions. 'Reports of deportations have added to the fear, but these cases are not about law-abiding F-1 visa holders,' said Zaveri. 'They usually involve illegal entry, unauthorised work, or participation in politically sensitive protests.' Sharp decline in Indian student numbers India was the largest source of international students in the US in 2024, accounting for nearly 27% of the total foreign student population, according to data from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). But more recent numbers show a reversal. Between March 2024 and March 2025, the number of active international student records dropped by 11.3%, from 1.153 million to 1.022 million. Indian student numbers saw a steep 28% fall, from 354,295 to 255,442. In contrast, Chinese student enrolments rose slightly to 263,510—up 3.28%. What explains the drop? Chris R Glass, professor at Boston College, said several factors could be at play. 'There was a 28% drop from India, which had been on a growth track,' said Glass in a blog post. 'This is linked to a broader 20.5% drop in master's programme enrolments by international students. Bachelor's enrolments stayed stable.' He added, 'More importantly, as I've argued, international graduate students aren't supplemental income—they're critical scientific infrastructure. They don't merely augment American scientific leadership—in many critical domains, they constitute it.'

Gen Ghai, face of army during Op Sindoor, promoted as dy chief of army staff
Gen Ghai, face of army during Op Sindoor, promoted as dy chief of army staff

Hindustan Times

time35 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Gen Ghai, face of army during Op Sindoor, promoted as dy chief of army staff

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the face of the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor, has been promoted as the deputy chief of army staff (strategy) and will continue to hold the appointment of director general military operations (DGMO), officials aware of the matter said on Monday. Ghai was among the top officials who briefed the media after the four-day military clash with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor — India's strikes on terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were shot dead. The verticals that will fall under his purview in the new role include military operations, military intelligence, strategic planning, and information warfare, the officials said, asking not to be named. Last week, President Droupadi Murmu awarded Ghai the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal for distinguished service during conflict, a recognition of his work as the commander of Srinagar-based HQ 15 Corps. Ghai, along with his air force and navy counterparts, briefed the media twice, on May 11 and 12. The understanding between India and Pakistan to cease military hostilities was announced on the evening of May 10 after Ghai and his Pakistani counterpart, Major General Kashif Abdullah, spoke over the hotline and agreed to stop all military actions against each other on land, in the air, and at sea. The two DGMOs spoke again on May 12 to uphold the truce. The confidence-building measures then discussed included continuing the May 10 commitment that both sides 'must not fire a single shot' or initiate any aggressive action against each other, and consider troop reduction in forward areas. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on the evening of May 10, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK and killed at least 100 terrorists. The Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani air bases and military installations. Last week, it emerged that India's targeting of locations within Pakistan during the May 7-10 clash was more extensive than was previously known, with a Pakistani document acknowledging that Indian drones had struck locations ranging from Peshawar in the northwest to Hyderabad in the south. Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, which was mounted in response to Operation Sindoor, 'folded in eight hours' on May 10, belying Islamabad's ambitious target of bringing India to its knees in 48 hours, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan said on June 3. In the May 11 briefing, Ghai said Indian forces had exercised immense restraint and their actions were 'focused, measured and non-escalatory,' but any threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or safety of the country's citizens will be met with decisive force.

BJP plans on planting 7 million trees in Delhi, says CM Rekha Gupta
BJP plans on planting 7 million trees in Delhi, says CM Rekha Gupta

Business Standard

time38 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

BJP plans on planting 7 million trees in Delhi, says CM Rekha Gupta

While speaking to the reporters, the Delhi CM expressed her happiness and stated that every Delhi department and school is joining the second series of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' ANI Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' event in New Delhi on Monday. She asserted that the government has set up a target of planting more than 70 lakh trees in the present season. While speaking to the reporters, the Delhi CM expressed her happiness and stated that every Delhi department and school is joining the second series of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. Rekha Gupta informed that the government has requested every person and social organisation to plant at least one tree in the name of our "Mother Nature and Earth" to make Delhi greener. "I am pleased that every Delhi department and school is joining the second series of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. We are requesting every person and social organisation to plant at least one tree in the name of our Mother Nature and Earth, making Delhi greener. We have set a target of planting 70 lakh trees this season and expect to improve Delhi's environment by doing this", she told reporters. Furthermore, taking to her 'X' handle, Delhi CM shared some glimpses of the event and mentioned that she planted a vermilion plant under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign started by the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She highlighted that the "sindoor", which will be prepared from the flowers of this tree, is a "symbol of the valour, honour and self-confidence of Indian women." The Delhi CM stated that the tree will keep reminding of the heroic saga of Operation Sindoor and the resolve to make Delhi a symbol of reenery, cleanliness and compassion. "Today, I planted a vermilion plant in honour of my mother under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign started by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The sindoor prepared from the flowers of this tree is a symbol of the valour, honour and self-confidence of Indian women. This plant will not only become a symbol of environmental protection but will also always remind us of the heroic saga of 'Operation Sindoor'. India today has entered a new era of environmental awareness and this campaign launched by the Prime Minister defines the thinking of our sensitive and sustainably developing nation. Our resolve is to make Delhi not just a capital but a symbol of greenery, cleanliness and compassion. For this purpose, a target of planting 70 lakh saplings has been set this year so that a green and healthy Delhi can be provided to the coming generations. My cabinet colleague Ashish Sood was also present on this occasion", Rekha Gupta's 'X' post said. Meanwhile, Rekha Gupta also slammed the previous Aam Aadmi Party Delhi government while addressing the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' event. She said that the Chief Minister and the previous government always had a problem with the name of the Union Government. He stated that the previous government never accepted the Ayushman Yojana, Vay Bandhan Yojana, Arogya Mandir, PM Awas Yojana and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. "Wherever the central government's name came, the previous government and the chief minister always had a problem. Maybe that's why they never accepted Ayushman Yojana, Vay Bandhan Yojana, Arogya Mandir, PM Awas Yojana and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. What pain was in this? One tree in the name of nature, our mother, our motherland. This is just a social drive... They (AAP) could do anything, but they never loved to do good work", Rekha Gupta said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store