'Mihir belongs to Tulsi': Mandira Bedi recalls viewers response on her stint in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Actress and television icon Mandira Bedi recently opened up about the overwhelming reactions she received while portraying a negative character in the legendary Indian TV soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT). In a conversation with Times Now, she shared how emotionally invested fans often blurred the lines between fiction and reality—something she experienced firsthand.

“When I played a negative character in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, people were like, ‘Why don't you leave Mihir? Mihir belongs to Tulsi!’” Mandira recalled. “And I was like, hey back off! Mihir and Tulsi are together onscreen and I am playing a character.”

When I played a negative character in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, people were like, ‘Why don't you leave Mihir? Mihir belongs to Tulsi!

- Mandira Bedi

The show, produced by Ektaa Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, aired on Star Plus from 2000 to 2008, becoming one of the most iconic daily soaps in Indian television history. It revolved around the Virani family, with Smriti Irani playing the beloved character Tulsi, a righteous daughter-in-law whose moral compass and family loyalty won the hearts of millions. Amar Upadhyay portrayed Mihir, her husband, and their on-screen relationship became one of the most cherished love stories on Indian television.

Mandira Bedi’s character, Dr. Mandira Kapadia, was introduced as Mihir’s former lover, whose return sparked a turbulent love triangle. Although her role was fictional, the negative response from audiences was very real.

“They took it personally,” Mandira said. “That's how people get involved in shows that are popular and that are these daily soaps.”

The immense popularity of KSBKBT not only shaped viewing habits in the early 2000s but also redefined the Indian television industry. The show ran for over 1,800 episodes, won multiple awards, and helped establish the now-classic saas-bahu (mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) genre.

Now, nearly two decades after it first aired, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is making a comeback. The return has reignited nostalgia among fans who grew up watching the show and has introduced a new generation to the drama, traditions, and emotional complexities that once dominated prime-time Indian TV.