It has been learnt that Ekta Kapoor will soon make an official announcement on her plans to revive the classic TV serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, 25 years after it first aired on television in 2000. Interestingly, just as it did then, the show would be headlined by Smriti Irani, former Minister of Women and Child Development, who garnered wide acclaim for her role as 'Tulsi' in the show and marked the beginning of her fame across the country. Irani is reportedly "working out rigorously" to reprise her iconic role and "get back in shape."
The limited series will reportedly feature the same location as the original, the same opening shot that became integral to the show and the original cast, including Amar Upadhyay as the lead male protagonist, Mihir Virani. While Kapoor promises KSBKBT fans, most of whom comprise the elderly and millennials, that she'll aim to bring in a "dash of freshness" to the beloved classic, we hope the "revived version" appeals to the newer generations, GenZ and Gen Alpha and that it can do justice to the gripping, heartwarming and relatable narratives that entertained us every night at 8.30 pm at the turn of the century.
Set against the backdrop of Gujarat, the story follows Tulsi, an ideal daughter-in-law who marries Mihir Virani, the grandson of a wealthy businessman, navigating the challenges of their journey together. It was this show that gave Smriti Irani overnight fame and made her a household name.
If a new version of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is made, here's what the makers could consider, say those who've grown up watching the serial:
Go low on the melodrama, please!
While we are in for the doe-eyed, teary moments, fans wish it's not overdone. 57-year-old Bhavna Jhaveri, a resident of Matunga in Mumbai who was an "avid lover of KSBKBT," says, "I literally watched every single episode of the serial back then when I was in my late 30s and as a family we had established a routine around it. But now, 20 years later, I hope it has enough elements to keep me just as engaged. For one, I wouldn't want it to be a cry ride for sure," she says. Known for its dramatic twists and turns, the show would benefit from a "more balanced approach to storytelling, with less emphasis on melodrama and more focus on character development," she adds.
Stereotypical portrayals
The original show was criticized for its stereotypical portrayals of certain characters, particularly the "saas" and "bahu" archetypes. However, 25 years later, familial relationships have undergone a sea change, with educated and urban-class Millennial 30-somethings having friendly banter with their in-laws and parents. They'd be keen on watching more nuanced and complex characters in the new version. "I don't think sitting down to watch the original KSBKBT with my mother-in-law will resonate with either of us. Unlike the sweet-sour-bitter relationships shown, ours is more friendly, informal and loving. So I think all this evolving chemistry between us and our parents/guardians should be borne in mind," feels Smita Vinchurkar, a photographer residing in Delhi.
Problematic plotlines
Some plotlines in the original show, such as the depiction of marital rape and euthanasia, were criticized for being insensitive and problematic. Fans might want to see more thoughtful and responsible storytelling in the new version, which could set the show in a traditional Gujarati family but include diversity in its cast and storytelling.
Add a touch of finality
One oft-repeated criticism about the show was that it simply went on and on and on. People died, they got resurrected, died again and brought back from the dead, after screen-years of being away from action. "Please, give it a nice end once the story is done with. Don't test our patience and insult our intelligence by simply stretching a narrative until we can take no more. Do away with repetitive plotlines and characters and make it all the more streamlined in the new version," says Charu Mehra, a fashion stylist based in Mumbai.