From Miss India finalists to Saas-Bahu: Smriti Irani recalls her long association with Gauri Pradhan

Smriti Irani, who is widely recognised for her role in the early 2000s television show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, recently shared a memory that goes further back in time. Taking to her Instagram Stories, she posted a photo with television actors Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, and reflected on her shared history with Gauri.

In her post, Irani revealed that she and Gauri were part of the same Miss India pageant batch in 1998. Alongside the photo, she wrote, “An association going back to 1998. How many knew that @gpradhan and I were Miss India finalists together in the same batch only to becoming Saas Bahu in Kyunki.”

This reference is to their later collaboration in the popular Hindi television series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which aired on Star Plus. In the show, Smriti Irani played the role of Tulsi Virani, while Gauri Pradhan joined the cast in later years, playing the role of Nandini, who became a significant part of the storyline. The actors are all set to collaborate for the sequel of the show once again and the said picture is believed to be from the sets of the second season of the show.

The post also included Hiten Tejwani, who portrayed Karan Virani in the same series. His character was paired opposite Gauri’s character, and the two later married in real life. The image shared by Smriti brought together all three actors, recalling their long-standing connection through the television industry.

Smriti Irani’s note not only highlighted her early association with Gauri during their pageant days but also pointed to how their careers eventually intersected again on one of Indian television’s most watched serials at the time. While Irani moved on from acting to a career in politics, Gauri and Hiten continued to appear in various television projects.

The Instagram story drew interest from fans who have followed the actors since their early television careers. It also offered a glimpse into how professional paths in the entertainment industry often cross in unexpected ways over time.