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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Kyunki, saas bahu and suffering never go out of style
Old films re-releasing in theatres seem to have inspired the television industry to bring back the one bahu who ruled them all. Tulsi Virani and her family make a comeback in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kahi Bahu Thi (part deux or redux, take your pick) on Star Plus from the 29th of July. I can't help but wonder if I am nostalgic or disappointed. Nostalgic about the return of Tulsi on her moral high horse, or disappointed with the stagnation of television programming in India, that allows a 25-year-old show to remain relevant. Interestingly, I was working with the channel that broadcast the show when it went off the air in 2008. I recall it being a big deal that Tulsi Virani would no longer be on our screens. Well, not anymore. As Kyunki makes a return after all these years, and potentially opens the door for other erstwhile soap operas to return, or be rebooted, I can't help but wonder – what is it about watching a woman suffer and make unrealistic sacrifices that appeals to people? Or, for that matter, watching a family or home turn into a hotbed for indiscretions and crime? Does the chaos and unhappiness of someone else's home make us feel better about our own? Is it trauma bonding, where we feel like we are not the only ones suffering in a bad marriage or toxic family? Maybe in some cases, it's an opportunity to acknowledge toxicity and potentially course correct one's behaviour. Ekta Kapoor's rise coincided with the establishment of the daily soap as appointment viewing on Hindi GEC. The small screen czarina seemingly found inspiration in the closeted dysfunction of Indian homes. She went on to create multiple stories of love, marriage, suffering, tragedy and crime that audiences lapped up every evening, week after week, for years together. In a country where we once enjoyed shows like Buniyaad, Saans, Kora Kagaz, or Dekh Bhai Dekh, Kapoor single-handedly changed our viewing palettes and diets. Whether it was Kyunki, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kkusum, Kasamh Se, Kayamath, Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii, Kundali, Kis Desh Mein Hain Meraa Dil, or Kkavyanjali, the K sagas shaped television programming in India for over a decade and made domestic upheavals the mainstay of our weeknight programming. What all these shows had in common, apart from an alphabet, was that they are/were drenched in the tears of the female protagonist whose life was an unending obstacle course of misunderstandings and misery. Along the way, she also sermonised like a priest about sanskaar and sindoor and cooked like bonded labour. The problem is not just that these daily soaps promoted regressive ideas like equating your spouse to your fate/destiny (Kumkum Bhagya), made marriage and motherhood the essence of a woman's life, or glorified women for tolerating infidelity, abuse and harassment to make their marriage work. The larger problem was that the pressure of producing five or more episodes a week irreversibly impacted the quality of content we were producing. Scripts were replaced with background score and sound effects, performances with VFX (remember the lightning strikes and freeze frames), and realism with melodrama. Add to this the pressure of weekly ratings, which meant that shows soon gave up on their resolve to differentiate themselves or stick to what the progressive launch promo promised. Take Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi itself. The show, which was meant to celebrate Indian joint families and the values that hold us together, had characters across generations commit indiscretions and even sexual offences. The leading man, Mihir, whose death left an entire nation in mourning, had an extramarital affair with Mandira that produced an illegitimate son. Mihir and Tulsi's eldest son Gautam married thrice and his first ex-wife eventually married his cousin. Three female characters are raped, of which one was an instance of marital rape. Tulsi killed her son Ansh in a Mother India moment, and took her mother-in-law Savita off life support, though euthanasia is illegal in India. Babies were swapped or kidnapped, spouses were bumped off, and women constantly spewed venom at each other. Ironically, for a family that lived in Shanti Niketan, they rarely seemed to have a moment's peace. This was the summary of just one show. Multiple such shows were being broadcast simultaneously, or continue to be, each one with equal or more dysfunction than the next. Thanks to a lot of criticism and perhaps audience fatigue, the situation has marginally improved over the years. Though we still have the occasional bahu turning into a house-fly, snake, supernatural being, making a trip to the moon on a scooter, hanging on a kite or being romanced by a gorilla, Hindi GEC channels have made an effort to create shows that atleast begin with the promise of progressive thought. But sadly, most of them eventually devolve into sordid sagas or have repetitive conflicts. Also Read | Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, Traitors, IPL, Kapil Sharma: How streaming is replicating television, the very beast it wanted to tame There is a lot of nostalgia among the original audiences about the return of Kyunki, but it remains to be seen if the Virani family will strike a chord like they did two decades ago. The boomers and millennials who grew up watching Tulsi handle her family with tears, slaps, monologues, and, on occasion, even a gun, have all grown up or become older. They have had kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and been exposed to social media, OTT content and smartphones. One can only hope that, since a quarter of a century has passed since we first met the Viranis, they have evolved and their story has saas, bahu, but not half as much saazish. Kyunki, twenty-five years later, all of us deserve better.
India.com
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress was called a 'Home breaker' for marrying 17-year-older star, her name is..., her husband is Amitabh Bachchan's...
This actress was called a 'Home breaker' for marrying 17-year-older star, her name is..., her husband is Amitabh Bachchan's... Veteran actress Kiran Juneja is admired for her incredible performances in television classics like Buniyaad and Mahabharat, as well as in Dibakar Banerjee's critically acclaimed debut film Khosla Ka Ghosla. Apart from her work, Kiran also grabbed headlines off-screen for her marriage with Sholay director Ramesh Sippy. This was Sippy's second marriage. When he first met Kiran, it was love at first sight for him. The two then tied the knot despite huge gap of 17 years. He was separated from his first wife Geeta. In a recent interview, Kiran candidly spoke about her marriage and the things that she was labelled as a 'home breaker.' In a conversation with Lehren Metro, Kiran revealed that Ramesh and his then wife Geeta had decided to not officially part ways until their son, Rohan Sippy's exams. 'Nahi, divorce nahi hua tha, but there was an understanding, and there was not a separation. Kyuki Rohan was very young, uska final year tha and they did not want to disrupt his thing…' Kiran said. Addressing the 'home breaker' tag, she shared that it never bothered her as she already knew Sippy's situation. 'See, marriage would have bothered me if I was the home breaker, but I already knew their situation, so it's not like I broke their house. So I was okay with that, and that was never the worry.' The veteran actress said. Kiran also talked about their significant age gap, and admitted that she always get along with people who are much older than her. 'I was too mature at my age. But boys of my age, I could never tune with them mentally. So yes, he was much older, but that didn't bother me, neither did it affect anything.' She said. Ramesh Sippy and Kiran Juneja dated for 4 years, until they decided to marry in 1988. Ramesh officially divorced his first Geeta, before tying the knot with Kiran. He has three kids from his first marriage- a son Rohan, and daughters Sheena and Sonya.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kiran Joneja DEFENDS husband Ramesh Sippy after he's called a ‘colourful man who had two affairs'
Actor Kiran Joneja is opening up like never before about her marriage with legendary filmmaker Ramesh Sippy . In a frank chat, she spoke about handling old rumours of Ramesh 's affairs, her strong stand on not wanting to be a mother to his three children, and how she has built a 'wonderful' relationship with them over the years. 'I haven't heard of any affairs Mr Sippy has had' During the interview with Lehren Retro, when the subject of Ramesh's past relationships came up, Kiran seemed visibly disturbed. She was asked if she had ever heard rumours about Ramesh's affairs before or during their over three-decade-long marriage. Kiran firmly said, 'I haven't heard of any affairs Mr Sippy has had.' However, the interviewer pressed on, describing Ramesh as 'a colourful man' who 'had at least two affairs'. At this, Kiran chose to set the record straight without letting it affect her peace. She calmly replied, 'I don't care, maybe it was there. But I know this much that after meeting me, I don't know of any affair till today.' When the interviewer once again claimed that Ramesh 'was in a relationship with two actresses', Kiran brushed it off by saying, 'Hoga (Maybe), but that is the past. I don't want to talk about it. I wouldn't even comment on it.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo On her equation with Ramesh's children: 'I don't want to be their mother' Kiran also spoke warmly about her relationship with Ramesh's children from his previous marriage — Rohan, Sonya and Sheena. When asked about the common portrayal of stepmothers as witches, Kiran shared how she has always respected boundaries. 'They call me by my name, they call me Kiran. Nobody calls me anything else, it's a wonderful relationship... I think if you know your boundaries, then the relationship won't go sour. You need to know, 'I can say this, I can't say this. This isn't my area, I don't want to meddle here',' she explained. Kiran also revealed that they have never had any fights or arguments. In fact, they make it a point to celebrate special occasions together. She added that the age gap between her and the children isn't very wide. 'Age wise also I'm somewhere in between, it's not like the kids are really kids for me,' she said with a laugh. When asked if she ever felt like telling them that she wanted to be their mother, Kiran was clear and respectful. 'I don't want to be their mother, they have a mother,' she stated. Ramesh and Kiran's marriage: A bond of over three decades Ramesh and Kiran tied the knot in 1991. At the time, Ramesh was 44 years old, and Kiran was 27. Their marriage came after Ramesh's previous marriage, from which he has three children Kiran Joneja has won hearts in films like 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' and 'Jab We Met', and on TV with iconic shows 'Buniyaad' and 'Mahabharat'. Meanwhile, Ramesh Sippy gave Indian cinema timeless classics like 'Sholay', 'Seeta Aur Geeta' and 'Shaan', and also created the beloved serial 'Buniyaad'.
News18
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Kiran Joneja REACTS To Husband Ramesh Sippy's Alleged Affairs: 'Hoga, I Don't Care…'
In a candid interview with Lehren Retro, Kiran Joneja addressed rumours that her husband, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, had been a 'colourful man" before their marriage in 1991. Their nearly 30-year marriage has withstood any controversy, she said, because she values commitment over public perception. When the interviewer claimed Ramesh 'had at least two affairs," Kiran replied, 'I haven't heard of any affairs Mr Sippy has had." Undeterred, the interviewer pressed again, saying Ramesh 'was in a relationship with" two actresses. Kiran responded, 'Hoga (Maybe), but that is the past. I don't want to talk about it. I wouldn't even comment on it." Adding further clarity, she remarked on the importance of their bond. She added, 'I don't care, maybe it was there. But I know this much that after meeting me, I don't know of any affair till today." Kiran married Ramesh Sippy in 1991, when she was 27 and he was 44. Ramesh, who was previously married, has three children from his earlier marriage—Rohan, Sonya, and Sheena Sippy. Kiran Juneja rose to fame with her powerful performances as Veeravali in Buniyaad and Ganga in Mahabharat, which remain iconic roles in Indian television history. In films, she has appeared in titles like Shaheen, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Bunty Aur Babli, Jab We Met, and Krrish, often portraying strong character roles. Married to filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, Kiran continues to be associated with the entertainment industry and is remembered fondly for her dignified screen presence and versatile talent. Ramesh Sippy is a renowned Indian filmmaker best known for directing the iconic 1975 film Sholay, which became a landmark in Indian cinema. He assisted his father G.P. Sippy before making his directorial debut with Andaz in 1971. Over the years, he delivered several successful films, including Seeta Aur Geeta, Shaan, and Shakti. His work is known for its cinematic scale, strong storytelling, and memorable characters.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Upset Kiran Joneja strongly defends husband Ramesh Sippy when interviewer calls him a 'colourful man, who had 2 affairs'
Actor Kiran Joneja has strongly defended her husband-film director Ramesh Sippy, when an interviewer said that he was earlier a "colourful man". In an interview with Lehren Retro, Kiran talked about how commitment, and not marriage, is important to her. Kiran Joneja and Ramesh Sippy have been married for over thirty years. Kiran Joneja reacts to question about Ramesh Sippy's affairs earlier Kiran Joneja said that she hadn't heard of any rumours of Ramesh's affairs earlier or during the three decades of their marriage. When the interviewer reiterated that Ramesh "was a colourful man" who "had at least two affairs", a visibly upset Kiran said it was in the past. Kiran said she "hasn't heard of any affairs Mr Sippy has had". Upset Kiran says his previous affairs don't matter to her When the interviewer insisted, Ramesh had affairs, Kiran replied, "I don't care, maybe it was there. But I know this much that after meeting me, I don't know of any affair till today." The interviewer again reiterated that Ramesh "was in a relationship with" two actresses. At this, Kiran said, "Hoga (Maybe), but that is the past. I don't want to talk about it. I wouldn't even comment on it." About Kiran and Ramesh Kiran got married to Ramesh in 1991. At that time, he was 44 years old and she was 27 years old. Ramesh was earlier married. He has three children--Rohan Sippy, Sonya Sippy and Sheena Sippy. About Kiran's career Kiran has featured in many films including Mulzim, Ek Misaal, Zamaana Deewanam, Badi Bahen, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Jab We Met, Chandni Chowk to China, Fashion, Badmaash Company, and Shimla Mirchi. She also starred in serials such as Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Wah Janaab, Buniyaad, Mahabharat, Sinndoor and Junoon. Ramesh has directed films such as Andaz (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Sholay (1975), Shaan (1980), Shakti (1982), Saagar (1985), Bhrashtachar (1989), Akayla (1991) and Zamana Deewana (1995), among others. He also directed the television serials Buniyaad (1986) and Gaatha (1997).
