‘Smriti Irani has not changed a bit, she asked me tu buddha kab hoga?' says Amar Upadhyay
There's a wave of excitement sweeping across fans of Indian television as one of the most iconic shows in the history of daily soaps, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, is all set to return. The buzz is even louder this time as the original lead pair—Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay—will reprise their legendary roles as Tulsi and Mihir Virani. This also marks the highly anticipated return of Smriti to acting after years of a successful political career.
The original show aired from 2000 to 2008 and became a cultural phenomenon. Now, 17 years later, viewers are eager to see how the story and characters have evolved with time. Speaking to The Times of India, Amar Upadhyay shared insights about the upcoming version of the show. He admitted that the cast and crew are feeling a bit of pressure, thanks to the enormous response the announcement has received. 'People have loved this show for so long, and now the expectations are even higher,' he said.
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Addressing the challenge of bridging the 17-year gap, Amar revealed that the storyline has been thoughtfully crafted to justify the return of each character. The show will focus on how relationships have matured, particularly between Tulsi and Mihir. 'The love between them has grown deeper. We've grown both as people and as actors,' Amar said. He also joked that unlike the last time when his character Mihir was killed off and brought back due to public outcry, this time, he's 'here to stay.'
Amar Upadhyay also shared his excitement about working with Smriti Irani again. Despite her stature as a politican, he said she remains the same warm, witty person. Recalling a recent meeting at Ekta Kapoor's house, he said, 'She looked at me and joked, 'Tu buddha kab hoga? (When will you age?)' and I replied, 'Abhi time hai (There's time).'' According to Amar, their bond hasn't changed a bit in 25 years—it still feels like the good old days.
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