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India Today
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
When Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot gave us serious Anupamaa vibes
Ever since 'Anupamaa' premiered in 2020, Rajan Shahi's show has dominated the ratings chart. So when the reboot of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' was announced, comparisons between the two were bound to after watching the premiere episode of the reboot, led by Smriti Irani, we couldn't help but draw parallels with the Rupali Ganguly-starrer. Now, don't get us wrong, we're not here to declare which show is better. That's for the audience to decide. But several moments from the new 'Kyunki' certainly reminded us of 'Anupamaa'.advertisementTake Tulsi (Smriti Irani), for example. She's always been about caring for her people - be it her children, her husband, or the elderly in the house. Watching her slip seamlessly back into that role immediately brought 'Anupamaa' to mind. The scene where Mihir Virani (Amar Upadhyay) asks Tulsi to prepare his protein shake felt like a deja vu moment for 'Anupamaa' fans. Remember Vanraj and his daily protein shake routine? Little did I expect Mihir to follow Sudhanshu Pandey's character. And thanks to the makers, he did not. READ KYUNKI REBOOT REVIEW HEREMihir, however, doesn't go full Vanraj. Instead, asking for the shake and behaving nonchalantly turns out to be a prank. He later surprises Tulsi with a brand-new car for their anniversary. Phew! But the writers couldn't resist including the health-conscious trope. Mihir proudly declares that it's Tulsi's homemade protein shake that's helped him maintain a weight of 60 kg for the last 38 years. While Tulsi, having prioritised everyone else over herself, weighs around 85 kg. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@adirachavan_fc)Nostalgia is undoubtedly the backbone of 'Kyunki' reboot, but apart from some new faces, the first episode offered little that felt fresh. And, this time there is no Payal (Jaya Bhattacharya), Mandira (Mandira Bedi/Achint Kaur) or Ansh (Akashdeep Saighal) to create trouble for the Viranis. In their place, we have Gayatri chachi (Kamalika Guha Thakurta) plotting against everyone's beloved Tulsi, proving that some things never her love for Tulsi is quite evident when she tries to manipulate Hemant (Shakti Anand) against his bhaiya-bhabhi (read Ram-Sita) by calling Tulsi "woh sita hai jo khud mahalon mein rehti hai aur dusro ko jungle bhejti hai (the Sita who lives in a palace but sends others to exile)." If here we have Gayatri, Anupamaa had Baa (Alpana Buch). Hardly saying anything good about her during the initial are also introduced to three new Viranis - Angad (Rohit Suchanti), Pari (Shagun Sharma) and Ritik (Aman Gandhi). Angad is the golden boy of the family, all love and loyalty. Pari, on the other hand, is more complex. She's secretly in love with a mystery man and believes Tulsi doesn't treat her and Angad as equals in the family. Her simmering resentment gives us strong Pakhi (Muskaan Bamne from 'Anupamaa') only time will tell us if 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot will offer its audience something more than 'Anupamaa'. For now, it feels like we've picked up right where we left off, only with glossier sets, some fresh faces, and Tulsi's timeless strength.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi first episode review: Tulsi and Mihir Virani era is back and so is the storm in the reboot premiere
What do you get when tradition meets tech, and old grudges meet new parties? The answer is Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, reborn. The first episode wastes no time diving into the familiar chaos of the Virani household—only this time, there are phones, filters, and influencers in the mix. But at the centre of it all is Tulsi, the ever-composed woman of steel, returning to our screens after 25 years. The episode opens with a sweeping visual of the Virani mansion, now refurbished but still echoing with the past. Tulsi performs her morning aarti, and we see flashbacks of Baa, Savita, and the emotional foundations that once held this family together. Tulsi's emotional connect with Baa and her saas Savita giving archived flashbacks from the original season is bound to hit you by nostalgia. Karan and Nandini, played by Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, walk back into our lives with the quiet confidence of veterans. Meanwhile, Gayatri's passive-aggressive taunts toward Tulsi set the tone for the layered conflicts brewing. The next-gen is glossy and restless. They love their night-outs, flaunt their relationships on social media, but also respect family traditions—and when Tulsi speaks, even the rebels listen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Simpang Tiga: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay 's reunion feels less like acting and more like muscle memory. Their scenes are warm, slow-burning, and comforting. With drama, emotion, and callbacks galore, the reboot isn't just reliving the past—it's rewriting it for today's world. The Viranis are ready for battle, and so are we. After a wait of 25 years, the iconic show is back on screen and will it be able to pull the new gen? Only time will tell as this show is going to be a limited season.
India Today
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Hiten Tejwani on reprising Karan Virani in Kyunki reboot, reuniting with Smriti Irani
Ahead of the much-awaited premiere of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot, actor Hiten Tejwani confirms he's officially back as Karan Virani, the character that made him a household name nearly two decades ago. And yes, Gauri Pradhan, his real-life wife and on-screen partner, is back too as Nandini exclusively to India Today, Hiten said the return feels surreal. 'It's an honour to be part of a show like 'Kyunki', and to come back after almost 25 years... it feels like we never stopped. It's like we've just picked up where we left off,' he recalled his reaction when he heard about the reboot: 'I was really happy. After all, how often does an iconic show like Kyunki come back? I just felt grateful to be a part of it again.' The actor added that the decision to return felt natural. 'We're back as Karan and Nandini. How and in what way, that's something you'll have to watch and find out!'Stepping back into Karan Virani's shoesFor Hiten, slipping back into Karan's role wasn't a challenge. 'It was like coming home. Of course, there's always that process on the first day of figuring the character out again, but it felt easy. Familiar.'When asked about the emotional arc of Karan, especially being named after Mahabharat's Karna and his complex journey into the Virani family, Hiten fondly recalled how he took it step by step. 'Back then, I wasn't told much. I was just asked to report to shoot. It was only over time, through the way scenes were written, that I started understanding Karan's journey. It was a beautiful arc, and I'm grateful the audience loved it so much.'What's new in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' this time around?While 'Kyunki' will retain its core themes of family values and relationships, Hiten said that the reboot will also tackle contemporary issues. 'Even back then, the show was ahead of its time. This version will also highlight topics that haven't been shown on TV much. The essence remains the same, but the themes will be fresher.'He also confirmed that a new generation of Viranis is being introduced. 'You'll see new faces, but the roots are intact.'Reuniting with familiar facesOne of the biggest draws for fans is the return of the old cast that includes Shakti Anand, Kamalika Guha Thakurta and Ritu Seth. 'When we met on set again, it didn't feel like we'd been apart. It was like old times, just continuing from where we had paused,' Hiten working with Smriti Irani, now a Union Minister, he added, 'She's still the same on set. Despite everything she's achieved, she brings that same energy.'Shooting today vs then: What's changed?Hiten also reflected on how television production has evolved. 'The technology is faster, smoother. Earlier, we shot with tapes and one or two cameras. Now, we use multiple cameras and chips that can be reused. Everything moves quicker.'He added that work shifts are now more streamlined. 'It's mostly a 9-to-9 or 7-to-7 setup now. Everyone knows their timing—it's more professional across the board.'On the audience's reactionadvertisementSo how does he think the audience will respond to this new chapter of 'Kyunki'?'You can never really predict. But the social media response so far has been amazing. Back in the day, we didn't have this kind of feedback. Now, it's instant. We'll know more once the episodes air.'What being part of 'Kyunki' means to Hiten Tejwani'This show is a legacy,' Hiten said thoughtfully. 'Being part of it again feels like a blessing. No one expected it to return. TV has changed, audiences have changed, but the fact that 'Kyunki' is back and people still care and it's amazing."'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot will air on Star Plus starting tonight at 10.30 pm. You can also stream the show on JioHotstar.- EndsMust Watch
