From Politics Back to Prime Time: Smriti Irani's Television Comeback

After a decade-long hiatus from acting, former Union Minister Smriti Irani is making waves with her return to the small screen in the highly anticipated reboot of "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi." The show that originally catapulted her to stardom 25 years ago is set to premiere on July 28, bringing together nostalgia and contemporary storytelling.

Irani's decision to reprise her iconic role as Tulsi Virani wasn't taken lightly. Speaking about her comeback, she emphasised that this isn't about chasing past glory but rather reconnecting with emotions and addressing issues relevant to today's generation. "The idea with bringing the show back is to give back to a community of viewers who made it as historic as the product is," she explained.

The original series, which ran from 2000 to 2008, achieved unprecedented success with TRP ratings of 31- a benchmark Irani believes is impossible to replicate in today's television landscape. However, she's clear that revisiting those numbers isn't the goal.

What makes this comeback particularly fascinating is how Irani plans to balance her political identity with her acting career. At 49, she remains an active politician, dismissing rumours of a potential Rajya Sabha nomination. "I am still an active politician. I am just 49 years old," she stated firmly, adding that her decade as a minister has become so prominent that people struggle to envision her in any other role.

The shoot itself has become an unexpected political workshop, with younger cast members eager to understand parliamentary procedures and governance. This unique blend of entertainment and political discourse reflects how Irani's diverse experiences are now converging in unprecedented ways.

The reboot promises to address contemporary issues while maintaining the show's core values. Irani credits producer Ekta Kapoor for pioneering female-centric narratives when such content wasn't mainstream. She particularly highlights how the original show tackled workplace equality issues, including pay parity, decades before these became widespread conversations.

"When you talk about today's generation, what are the conversations about in the professional sector? It's about pay parity and having better work conditions for women. That is something we took care of 25 years ago," Irani noted, emphasising the show's progressive stance even in its original run.

The reboot has successfully brought together most of the original cast, including Amar Upadhyay, Shakti Anand, Hiten Tejwani, and Gauri Pradhan. Behind-the-scenes videos show emotional reunions, with cast members describing the experience as a "homecoming" after 25 years.

This limited series format allows Irani to explore OTT content for the first time while maintaining her political commitments. She continues to follow parliamentary proceedings and remains actively engaged with her party workers, proving that her return to entertainment doesn't signal an exit from politics.

The "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" reboot represents more than just a television comeback; it's a cultural moment that bridges generational gaps and demonstrates how public figures can successfully navigate multiple careers while staying true to their core values.