Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Lore & Background

The series is set in Mumbai and focuses on the wealthy Gujarati Virani family living in their lavish house, Shantiniketan. The three daughters-in-law, Savita, Daksha and Gayatri, control the family and create trouble for their wise mother-in-law, Amba (Baa). Savita arranges her son Mihir's marriage to the arrogant Payal, but he falls in love with and marries the family priest's kind-hearted daughter, Tulsi, played by Smriti Irani. Tulsi ultimately wins over Savita after many hardships and has a son, Gautam. Mihir is involved in an accident and presumed dead, but later returns with memory loss, leading to a complex web of relationships and conflicts involving Dr Mandira, Payal, and other characters.

Reader's Guide

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is significant as one of the longest-running Indian television soap operas, airing for over eight years on Star Plus. It debuted alongside Kaun Banega Crorepati on 3 July 2000 and became the most successful serial of its time, ranked number 1 with double-digit TRPs for seven continuous years, peaking at 22.4 in May 2001. The show marked a turning point for producer Ekta Kapoor and Star Plus, leading to iconic serials Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series), which together formed the 'big 3' for the channel through the 2000s. The series won 5 consecutive Best Serial-Popular awards from the Indian Television Academy Awards and 6 consecutive Best Continuing Serials from the Indian Telly Awards. Smriti Irani, who played Tulsi Virani, holds the record for winning 5 consecutive Best Actress-Popular awards from ITA and 2 Indian Telly Awards. The show's legacy includes its influence on Indian television soap operas and its role in establishing Balaji Telefilms as a dominant production house.

Did You Know?

• The show aired from 3 July 2000 to 6 November 2008 on Star Plus.
• It peaked at a TRP of 22.4 in May 2001.
• Smriti Irani won 5 consecutive Best Actress-Popular awards from the Indian Television Academy Awards.
• The show won 6 consecutive Best Continuing Serials from the Indian Telly Awards.