Smriti Irani on Tulsi from KSBKBT: 'Greatest compliment is being someone's maa'
Synopsis
Smriti Irani says the greatest compliment she has ever received is being told Tulsi reminds people of their own 'maa', 'dadi', or 'nani' — and with KSBKBT's 10-year leap now underway, she is betting that the character's core instinct to heal over divide is as relevant in 2025 as it was when the show first captivated Indian primetime.
Key Takeaways
Smriti Irani called being compared to viewers' mothers and grandmothers the 'greatest compliment' for her role as Tulsi in KSBKBT . 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' launched a 10-year time leap on 3 July , marking a pivotal new chapter.
Irani said Tulsi returns to a family where 'relationships have become more complicated and distances have quietly grown.' She described the new arc as being centred on family, forgiveness, and hope .
The show originally aired in the early 2000s and is widely regarded as a landmark in Indian primetime television history.
Television icon Smriti Irani has opened up about the enduring emotional resonance of her beloved character Tulsi Virani from 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' (KSBKBT), as the show launches a landmark 10-year leap on 3 July. The actress said the greatest compliment she has ever received is being told that Tulsi reminds viewers of their own mothers and grandmothers.
The Compliment That Stayed With Her
'One of the greatest compliments I have received over the years is when people tell me that Tulsi reminded them of their own 'maa', 'dadi', or 'nani',' Smriti Irani said. She attributed this connection to something universal in the character's spirit — the instinct to heal rather than divide, and to listen rather than judge. 'I believe that's because every family, no matter how much the world changes, eventually needs someone who chooses to heal rather than divide, to listen rather than judge,' she added.
What the 10-Year Leap Brings
The new chapter of KSBKBT picks up a decade after audiences last saw the Virani family. Irani described the shift as emotionally layered. 'After ten years, Tulsi returns to a family that has changed, relationships have become more complicated, and distances have quietly grown,' she said. 'But her faith remains the same — that every relationship deserves one more chance, and every family can find its way back to each other.'
Why Tulsi Remains Relevant
Irani reflected on what has kept the character resonant across generations. 'What I have always loved about Tulsi is that she never believed there was only one way to solve a problem,' she said. 'Every generation brings new challenges, and every challenge demands compassion, courage, and a willingness to understand.' The show originally aired in the early 2000s and is widely credited with reshaping Indian primetime television.
The Journey Ahead
The actress acknowledged that the new arc will not be without turbulence. 'This journey has many unexpected moments, but at its heart, it is about family, forgiveness, and hope,' she said. Irani expressed hope that audiences would 'see a little of their own lives in Tulsi's story and enjoy every moment of this new chapter with her.' The revival arrives at a time of renewed interest in classic Indian television properties, with streaming platforms and linear broadcasters both revisiting legacy formats.
Point of View
Streaming-first media landscape. Smriti Irani's framing of Tulsi as a healer rather than a matriarch-in-authority is a subtle but meaningful reposition — one that softens the character's more conservative undertones for a contemporary audience. The 10-year leap device is a well-worn soap opera tool, but the real question is whether the show's core value system travels intact to a generation that grew up on web series. If it does, it says something significant about the durability of family as a narrative anchor in Indian content.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 10-year leap in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi?
The 10-year leap is a narrative time jump that launched on 3 July, moving the story of the Virani family forward by a decade. It marks a new chapter for the iconic show, with Tulsi returning to a family where relationships have grown more complicated and distances have widened.
What did Smriti Irani say about playing Tulsi in KSBKBT?
Smriti Irani said the greatest compliment she has received is being told that her character Tulsi reminds people of their own 'maa', 'dadi', or 'nani'. She described Tulsi as someone who chooses to heal rather than divide and to listen rather than judge.
Why does Smriti Irani believe Tulsi remains relevant today?
Irani said Tulsi's relevance comes from her belief that there is never just one way to solve a problem, and that every generation's challenges require compassion, courage, and a willingness to understand — qualities she argues are timeless.
When did Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi originally air?
The show originally aired in the early 2000s and is widely credited with reshaping Indian primetime television. Its revival with a 10-year leap represents one of Indian TV's most anticipated comebacks.
What is the central theme of the new KSBKBT chapter?
According to Smriti Irani, the new chapter is centred on family, forgiveness, and hope. She expressed a desire for audiences to see reflections of their own lives in Tulsi's story as the character navigates a changed family landscape.
