TV Rewind: Smriti Irani's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was a turning point for Indian television

Smriti Irani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

TV Rewind: The early memory of Indian television would be incomplete without the mention of shows like Smriti Irani's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Sakshi Tanwar's Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and several others. Launching the concept of saas-bahu dramas, these shows explored the daily lives of women in India who live in joint families.

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was one of the remarkable shows in terms of the impact it created on the audience. The lead characters, named Tulsi and Mihir, left an indelible mark in the living rooms and hearts of Indian middle-class families. Tulsi became a revered figure, especially for women who looked up to her for resilience.

While it might sound unrealistic and bizarre in the current content consumption scenario, plastic surgery and returning from the dead were in vogue. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi did it unapologetically and went creative with the ideas. The creative mind behind the show was Ekta Kapoor who played a pivotal role in bringing a change to the landscape of Indian television with stories rooted deeply in desi cultures.

Smriti Irani in a still from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Despite seeming cringe to the modern audience, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi catered to the audience living in Tier 2 and 3 cities. The makers were well aware of the target audience and this did wonders for the show in terms of TRP, repeat, and recall value. The relatability factor was at an all-time high. It is hard to imagine women dressed heavily in metro cities like Mumbai, people hailing from smaller cities and towns saw the show to be a fashion trendsetter too.

Elongated bindis and colourful sarees became the trendiest fits. The lead antagonist of the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Jaya Bhattacharya, made fashionistas go crazy over her style files.

Beyond this, what worked for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was the character sketch. With the perfect balance between good and evil, the reactions of the audience played a key role. If you remember when Mihir was presumed dead, it became a moment of widespread grief. People across the nation demanded his return and couldn't process the fictional track. That was the impact created by Amar Upadhyay.

Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay in a still from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

With several twists and turns, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was no less than an adventure ride for the audience. It set the tone for shows in the early 2000s. Recently, the re-run of the show caught people's attention. Despite completing over 20 years, the show's popularity remains intact.