'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' Review: Smriti Irani Returns, And So Does Indian TV’s Mojo

The Assignment Understood, The Nostalgia Delivered

Ekta Kapoor, as always, understands the brief. She knows the viewers tuning in are here to revisit memories, to reignite those precious fragments of the past, and to feel like they’re home. And so, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi opens with present-day Tulsi — played by Smriti Irani in a way only she can — mouthing the meaning of her own name while old footage of the Virani family and the vintage Balaji cold open play out. The hairs on your neck stand up. It is that kind of opening. You know this show is about to play the long game with nostalgia, but not without blending it with contemporary sensibilities.

Soon after, Tulsi begins introducing her family members one by one, just like she did in the original. The theme song plays in the background and suddenly, it feels like no time has passed. But time has moved on, and so have the Viranis. There is a fresh influx of young blood, in the form of Tulsi and Mihir’s now-grown children. These characters represent today’s generation, armed with sarcasm, smartphones, and their own set of ideas. But the original cast is back too, and how beautifully they settle into the narrative again

Daksha With Hashtags, Gayatri With Schemes, and the Return of Good Old Joint Family Drama

The return of Ketki Dave as the ever-entertaining Daksha is a hoot. Her signature ara ra ra ra is intact, and her spirit is now amplified by Instagram selfies and clever hashtags. This is the exact kind of evolution a character like Daksha deserved — quirky, lovable, and unexpectedly relevant. Nothing about her presence feels forced. Instead, it is oddly comforting.

Meanwhile, the deliciously envious Gayatri is also back in the fold, bringing a hefty dose of drama to the otherwise happy Virani household. True to the show's DNA, conflicting ideologies, layered egos, and domestic envy bubble beneath the surface of what appears to be a happy joint family. Because let's face it — if you live in a giant, opulent home filled with generations of family members, and there isn’t at least one character throwing shade across the dinner table, are you even watching Indian television?

It is this balance between the hunky-dory moments and the inevitable emotional confrontations that the reboot captures with sharp clarity. Karan and Nandini, played once again by Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, are still the couple everyone dreams of becoming. Their chemistry remains smooth and understated, and their return feels like no time has passed at all.

Drama Yes, But No More Melodrama

Even though this is just the first episode, it becomes obvious that Tulsi’s new challenges are going to be rooted in navigating parenting a grown daughter, adapting to contemporary thinking, and yet remaining tethered to the values she holds dear. And perhaps the most surprising part of this reboot is how it refrains from tipping into exaggerated melodrama.

Yes, there are grand dialogues and emotional confrontations, but they are never nonsensical. Instead, they are rooted in human emotion and context. In 2025, we are not looking for people to fall off cliffs or lose memory every two weeks. What we want instead is the drama to feel real — even when heightened — and the writing here gets that tone exactly right.

You’ll see flamboyant lines but with a backing of honesty. You’ll see characters cry, but never to the point of parody. The show acknowledges what elements have aged well and which ones haven't — and it does so without being self-righteous or apologetic. That makes it even more compelling to watch.

The Genius of Including Savita and Subtle Callbacks to Baa

One of the most heartwarming surprises of this reboot is the beautifully emotional inclusion of Apara Mehta’s Savita. Her dynamic with Tulsi was the soul of the original show, and to see that reignited feels nothing short of poetic. It reminds you that at the core of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was always that one sacred, complex, and occasionally beautiful relationship — the one between a saas and a bahu.

What makes the inclusion so powerful is that it is not overdone. It never feels like an exploitative grab for emotion. Instead, it's like receiving a warm hug from your own past. The show also features subtle callbacks to Baa, the late Sudha Shivpuri’s iconic character, and other original cast members who are not around anymore. These references are gentle, emotional, and most importantly, earned. They carry weight without leaning on sentimentality.

The Tulsi and Mihir You Remember, Only Wiser

Now to the very pillars of this house — Tulsi and Mihir. Amar Upadhyay as Mihir is still suave, composed, and fiercely romantic. He brings the same old Mihir charm, but this time with the added bonus of being a self-declared fitness freak. Honestly, it just feels right. Have you seen Upadhyay in real life lately? The man appears not to have aged a single day.

And then there is Smriti Irani. What does one even say about a woman who went from being one of the most recognisable TV faces to one of India’s most prominent politicians — and then returned to fictional television, slipping back into Tulsi’s skin like no time had passed?

Irani brings poise, gravity, and emotional depth to the role. She never plays Tulsi like a nostalgia gimmick. She embodies her with grace, maturity, and fierce love for her family. You can see the years that have passed in her eyes, and yet, the purity of Tulsi’s intentions has remained untouched. There is magic in the way she walks into a frame and takes control without overpowering it. She is the soul of the show, then and now.