Kyunki 2's Smriti Irani's onscreen grandson Akashdeep is ELDER to her in real life, THIS is their real age gap

Akashdeep Saigal’s entry in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 has brought back an old character connection from one of Indian television’s most remembered shows. His return has also created discussion among viewers because of the way his new role connects directly to his earlier one in the original series.

The real age gap between Smriti & Akashdeep:

The latest detail that has caught attention is that Akashdeep Saigal, who is now seen playing Smriti Irani’s onscreen grandson in the show, is actually older than her in real life. Akashdeep is 51 years old while Smriti Irani is 50. In the current track, he has entered as Rio, the son of Ansh Gujral. The interesting part is that Ansh Gujral was originally played by Akashdeep himself in the first instalment of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

In the original show, Akashdeep Saigal played Ansh Gujral, a character who was part of a major storyline and became one of the memorable negative roles of that time. The character was strongly written into the narrative and became widely recognised by audiences during the early 2000s run of the show. After that phase, the story moved on and the character did not continue further in the original timeline.

Now, nearly two decades later, the actor has returned to the same television universe but in a new layer of the same family tree. He is playing Rio, who is introduced as the son of Ansh Gujral. Since Ansh Gujral was earlier portrayed by Akashdeep himself, the new casting creates a direct link between the earlier and current version of the storyline.

What he says about playing a young character:

His re entry into the show has led to mixed reactions from viewers. A section of the audience has pointed out the age gap between his real life identity and the character relationship he shares with Smriti Irani’s Tulsi Virani in the current narrative. At the same time, the focus of the makers appears to be on continuing the legacy of the original show while adding new generational tracks.

Akashdeep Saigal spoke about his association with the project and his return to the franchise in a conversation with Zoom. He explained the trust and long standing working relationship behind his comeback and said, "When Ekta reaches out, it’s not merely a proposal; it’s a shared vision. We’ve made history together, and we both understood that for the revival of this legacy, it required a particular kind of strength."

His statement highlights the intent behind bringing back familiar faces into the new season, which is built around extending the original story rather than starting from scratch. The show continues to carry forward its earlier family dynamics while introducing new characters and relationships that connect to the past.

When Ekta reaches out, it’s not merely a proposal; it’s a shared vision. We’ve made history together, and we both understood that for the revival of this legacy, it required a particular kind of strength.

- Akashdeep Saigal

Social media talks

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi originally ran for several years and became one of the most successful daily soaps on Indian television. It was known for its large ensemble cast and long running family drama format. Smriti Irani, who played Tulsi Virani, became one of the most recognisable television faces in the country through the show.

In the current version, the makers have brought back elements from the original storyline while adding new arcs that reflect a generational shift. Akashdeep’s character Rio is part of this structure, where old characters and family lines are being extended into a new phase of storytelling. The return of Ansh Gujral’s track through his son adds continuity to the original narrative.

The casting choice has naturally created discussion because it links past and present in a direct way. Viewers who followed the original show remember Ansh Gujral as an important part of the earlier storyline, and his re introduction through Rio brings that reference back into focus.

As the show progresses, audience response will depend on how this revived narrative unfolds on screen. For now, Akashdeep Saigal’s return stands out as one of the key talking points of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, especially because it connects his original character and current role within the same fictional universe after a long gap.