Smriti Irani opens up on Bill Gate’s entry in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: 'It’s a historic first…'

Smriti Irani's hit show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 is getting a boost with Bill Gates' cameo appearance. The Microsoft co-founder will join Smriti via video call, focusing on maternal and newborn health, aligning with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's initiatives. Smriti emphasizes this collaboration marks a "historic moment" in Indian entertainment, shifting the spotlight to critical women's health issues.

Smriti recalls working with Bill Gates

Smriti Irani's past role as Union Minister for Women and Child Development laid the groundwork for her collaboration with Bill Gates. Their paths crossed during her tenure, making his cameo in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi a natural fit. The show's current season tackles pressing social and women's issues, aligning with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's focus areas, making Gates' participation a meaningful addition.

"When we were planning on making season two, we along with the network and the production house had made a promise that in a traditional storytelling set-up, we raise conversations. We're proud of what we've achieved in the past three months. We took up issues such as body shaming, aging, harassment at work place, issues of false cases and dowry. And now, we're taking up a very pertinent issue about women and child's health," she told News18 Showsha.

Smriti on Bill Gates joining the show

Smriti Irani is ecstatic about Bill Gates joining Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, saying, "We're glad to have a global voice like Bill Gates lending support to us. Seeing our association translate to a soap opera in itself is incredible. It's a historic first. Bill Gates hasn't been on any media platform in a fictional set-up."

Irani highlights their long-standing association, "I've had the fortune of working with him and his foundation for years now. I've seen how he advocates maternal and child health." Her collaboration with Gates stems from her previous role as Union Minister for Women and Child Development, making this cameo a natural fit for the show's social issue-focused narrative.

Smriti on giving a strong message to the audience

Smriti Irani believes addressing women and child care in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi will amplify the message, reaching a broader audience. The show's platform can spark meaningful conversations and raise awareness about critical issues, aligning with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's initiatives.

"Through my association with the foundation, I've seen that there has been an emphasis on the traditional methods of supporting the dietary needs of women and children. That's why it was pertinent for me that in a set-up like Kyunki Saas Bhi kabhi Bahu Thi, which is a very popular medium of communication, we take those excerpts and embed them into our storyline," she states.

Irani further continues, "It's important to understand that good nutrition need not be fanciful. In fact, our traditional ways of providing nourishment to our women and children are tested and made safe through affordable methods. And these are methods that can be available in every family - right from nutritious khichdi to drumstick soup."

About the show

The iconic Indian TV show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is back with Season 2, reuniting beloved original cast members Smriti Irani, Amar Upadhyay, Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan, Shakti Anand, Ritu Seth, Ketaki Dave, and Komolika Guha Thakurta. The new season also introduces fresh faces Rohit Suchanti, Shagun Sharma, Aman Gandhi, Tanisha Mehta, Prachi Singh, and Ankit Bhatia, who play the next generation of the Virani family. This reboot marks a nostalgic return, blending classic drama with modern storytelling.

Sakshi Tanwar and Kiran Karmarkar, iconic leads of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, recently reunited with Smriti Irani's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. This nostalgic crossover featured Parvati and Om helping to bring Mihir and Tulsi together, sparking excitement among fans. The special episode coincided with Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii's 25th anniversary, making it a memorable TV event.