- By Sidhi Agarwall
- Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Smriti Irani, who recently returned as Tulsi Virani in the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has finally responded to ongoing comparisons between her legendary show and Rupali Ganguly’s popular drama Anupamaa. In a recent interview, Irani addressed the subject head-on and offered a sharp yet composed reply that reflected both confidence and pride in her show’s enduring legacy.
In an interview with with India Today, when asked how she feels about Kyunki being compared to Anupamaa, the former Union Minister didn’t hold back. “I don’t look at them as competition,” she said. “When somebody gets to number 30 in TRPs, then you can be our competition, right? We were there 25 years ago. If you have the capacity to be remembered for 25 years, then we will talk about competition.” Irani, known for her candid and assertive nature, reminded everyone that Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi once dominated Indian television with record-breaking ratings and became a cultural phenomenon. She added that her journey goes beyond acting. “If you’ve been a three-time MP, a cabinet minister for a decade, and part of the BJP for 25 years if you want to compete, you must be fair to everyone in that competitive space. You can’t have someone who’s just started and say, ‘Compete with Smriti Irani,’” she said.
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Meanwhile, reflecting on the show’s lasting influence, Irani pointed out that very few daily soaps could return after two and a half decades and still receive so much love. “Calling it competition is unfair,” she said. “You’ll never get to number 30, and you’ll never be number one for eight straight years like we were. For a show to return after 25 years and still connect with today’s audience is truly remarkable.” She also highlighted how Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi continues to remain relevant even in today’s OTT era. “It’s not just about television anymore. OTT is a tough market to crack, and yet Kyunki, a so-called old-school show, still resonates deeply with audiences online. That speaks volumes about its impact,” Irani explained.
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Additionally, Smriti Irani also took a moment to credit producer Ekta Kapoor for creating what she called a “television legend.” She recalled how Kyunki’s phenomenal success made Kapoor’s production house one of the first Indian TV companies to be listed on the stock exchange. “So, am I competing with anyone at the Stock Exchange? I don’t think so. These talks about competition are quite foolish,” she added with a smile.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 airs on Star Plus and streams on JioCinema.