Smriti Irani’s Return as ‘Tulsi’ on TV Being Planned, But Conditions Seem to Be a Roadblock

The buzz around the upcoming sequel to Ekta Kapoor’s iconic television show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi – now titled Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 – has become one of the hottest topics in the entertainment world. Smriti Malhotra Irani, who became a household name as Tulsi, had long moved on to politics and served in multiple high-profile Union Ministries, becoming a powerful leader. Now, with news of her possibly returning to her acting roots, it is natural for discussions to heat up. Let’s take a look back at her glamorous journey and what lies ahead.

 Will the Brand ‘Tulsi’ Return?

Smriti Irani, once the epitome of the ideal daughter-in-law on Indian television as Tulsi, is now being speculated to reprise that iconic role. The original show ran successfully for eight years (2000–2008), with its last episode airing 17 years ago. Much has changed since then.

 Now, security has become a major concern. As a recipient of Z+ category security, the logistics of Smriti Irani’s movement to and from the sets are expected to be a serious challenge. Even if the production does not bear the security costs, the coordination and setup expenses will increase.

 Her Per-Day Fee Raising Eyebrows?

There’s also talk surrounding her remuneration. Sources suggest that Smriti Irani is being offered ₹14 lakhs per day for Kyunki...2. With the show expected to have 150 episodes, if she manages to shoot one episode per day, the total payment for the season would be approximately ₹21 crores.

 Given the current state of TV business, with advertising shifting to platforms like YouTube and declining revenues for serial producers, can such an investment be justified? Apart from Ekta Kapoor’s robust production house Balaji Telefilms, how many others would dare to bring Smriti Irani back with such a financial burden? It’s definitely a topic of debate.

 From Zero to Zenith: Smriti Malhotra’s Career Graph

Smriti entered the glamour world as Smriti Malhotra, participating in the Miss India pageant in 1998, where Gauri Pradhan Tejwani (wife of Hiten Tejwani) was also a contestant. She appeared in Mika Singh’s hit music album Sawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag in the song “Boliyaan.” Her TV debut was with shows like Atish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal on Star TV. She played Sita alongside Nitish Bharadwaj in Zee TV’s Ramayan and was also seen in DD Metro’s Kavita.

 She even co-produced the serial Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman. But it was Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi that gave her unparalleled fame and household recognition.

 From Actress to Politician – And Back?

Smriti was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2011 and formally entered politics. Her political journey soared like her TV career. In 2019, she became one of the most talked-about leaders in India after defeating Rahul Gandhi in Amethi—conquering the Nehru family stronghold.

 She held key Union Ministerial portfolios including Women & Child Development, Human Resource Development, Textiles, and Information & Broadcasting. She handled all these responsibilities with competence.

 However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, she lost her Amethi seat. Now, with more time on her hands, she seems inclined to return to acting—possibly as a personal shift or even a temporary break before re-entering politics. Her return in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 is being seen as a major move.

 A Show Loaded with Prestige

The sequel is being produced under the prestigious banner of Balaji Telefilms by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor. Ekta is widely regarded as the "Queen Producer" of Indian television. The excitement around Tulsi’s return, combined with Smriti Irani’s political charisma, certainly makes this a compelling show—but it may not guarantee long-term success.

 For now, fans are excited to see her back onscreen when Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 reportedly airs on July 3, 2025. Social media is abuzz with reactions, and Ekta Kapoor’s team is said to be taking serious note of the public sentiment.

Mayapuri welcomes the new avatar of Tulsi!

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