Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, a cult saas-bahu show that gathered love of three generations of fans for more than eight years on TV, completed 18 years yesterday. Ahead of its time, Ekta Kapoor‘s KSBKBT was full of suspense, saas-bahu issues, resurrections and love.
On 3rd July 2000, Tulsi, Mihir and Baa became household names. Every issue of Tulsi and Virani family became a part of many lives and I still vividly remember my grandmom’s happy tears when Mihir came back to life. Smriti Irani effortlessly essayed the role of Tulsi Virani, who was an ideal daughter-in-law to a joint family. It was one daily-drama most of the Indian families would love to watch over and over.
Both Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Irani, who is now a Union Minister, posted memories on Instagram from there KSBKBT days to reminisce about the occasion, which made us wonder how dramatically different Smriti and all the characters from the show looked when KSBKBT started in 2000. So, here’s a ‘then and now’ look at the cast of KSBKBT, thish… thish… thish…
1. Tulsi Virani played by Smriti Irani
Image Source: NDTV and Instagram
From playing an ideal bahu Tulsi Virani to becoming a Union Minister, Smriti Irani has maintained a long and healthy friendship with Ekta Kapoor. She is also the youngest minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party.
2. Mihir Virani played by Ronit Roy
Image Source: India Forums and Instagram
Ronit Roy played Tulsi Virani’s husband Mihir in the show and now he’s not only ruling the television world, he’s also owning Bollywood by being a part of movies like 2 States and Kaabil. He was last seen in Hotstar’s web series Hostages, in which he plays the role of cop dealing with a hostage situation.
3. Nandini Virani played by Gauri Pradhan Tejwani
Image Source: India Forums and Instagram
Gauri Pradhan found the love of her life Hiten Tejwani on the sets and she’s now a proud mother of two beautiful kids, Katya and Naveen Tejwani.
4. Jas Thakral played by Ram Kapoor
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
Bade Acche Lagte Hain fame Ram Kapoor played Mihir’s business partner Jas Thakral in the show and he’s doing movies like Hamshakals and Baar Baar Dekho. He was last seen hosting SonyLiv’s show Zindagi Ki Crossroads.
5. Baa played by Sudha Shivpuri
Image Source: Jaywant Pandya Cine and Rediff
Baa, undoubtedly, was everyone’s favourite. Unfortunately, Sudha Shivpuri left us in 2015.
6. Damini Virani played by Riva Bubber
Image Source: Indiatimes and Instagram
Riva Bubber played Damini Virani, the chhoti bahu in the Virani mansion.
7. Indu played by Karishma Tanna
Image Source: Times Of India and Instagram
After playing multiple roles like Indu in KSBKBT, Karishma Tanna gained a lot of popularity from Bigg Boss in 2014. She was recently seen next to Ranbir Kapoor in Sanju.
8. Krishnatulsi played by Mouni Roy
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
Krishnatulsi aka KT played by Mouni Roy was the sweetest girl in the Virani family. Now Mouni Roy’s scheduled is packed with roles next to big Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor. She will next be seen playing a negative role in Ayan Mukherjee’s Brahmastara, which features Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor in lead roles.
9. Lakshya Virani played by Pulkit Samrat
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
Now, busy with his Fukrey team, Pulkrit Samrat aced the role of KT’s love interest Lakshya Virani and oh Boy, was he cute?!
10. Bhoomi Virani played by Reshmi Ghosh
Image Source: Hotstar and IWMBuzz
Reshmi Ghosh was last seen in a Sony TV drama Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai. She played the role of Bhoomi Virani who was the daughter of Ansh and Nandini Virani.
11. Dr Mandira Kapadia (Mona) played by Mandira Bedi
Image Source: Pinkvilla and Instagram
Mandira Bedi played Dr Mandira Kapadia who saved Mihir’s life but became a problem to the Viranis much later. Mandira is still as hot and fit as then. She’s often seen during cricket commentaries. She was also a part of Karan Johar’s thriller Ittefaq.
12. Ansh Gujaral and Eklavya played by Akashdeep Saigal
Image Source: India Forums, Hotstar and Times Of India
Both Ansh and Eklavya, father and son’s roles, were played by Akashdeep Saigal. He’s currently busy working in Tamil films.
13. Baavri Virani played by Hansika Motwani
Image Source: Love Limes and Instagram
Hansika Motwani, the Virani kid and our childhood favourite, began her Bollywood career with Koi… Mil Gaya and is now a popular Tamil actress.
14. Ganga Virani played by Shilpa Saklani
Image Source: Farnaz Fever and Instagram
Played by Shilpa Saklani, Ganga Virani was another mature Virani bahu who stole a million hearts. Shilpa Saklani is now married to Atul Agnihotri and is a part of another television drama, Kaleerein.
15. Karan Virani played by Hiten Tejwani
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
Karan Virani was Mihir and Mandira’s illegitimate son. Bhoomi Virani was his and Nandini’s daughter but when Nandini was in jail, he married Tannya. Wow, that’s regular for an Ekta Kapoor show. Hiten is now married to Gauri Pradhan and has two beautiful kids.
16. Payal Mehra played by Jaya Bhattacharrya
Image Source: India.com and Instagram
Jaya Bhattacharrya played the hot samdhi of Virani family. She’s now playing Yamini Malhotra in Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka.
17. Daksha Virani played by Ketki Dave
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
Arra…ra…ra… Your favourite words? Anyone? Ketki Dave was so adorable in the show, another Virani bahu who has set high goals of all other daughter-in-laws.
18. Tannya Virani played by Rakshanda Khan
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
Tannya Virani played by Rakshanda was Karan Virani’s second wife. Rakshanda is now a mother and she has given her voice for many English to Hindi dubs like The Incredibles and The Mummy.
19. Pooja Hemant Virani played by Prachee Shah
Image Source: Media Spring and Instagram
Pooja Hemant Virani had a complicated love life in the show and she was Tulsi’s sister-in-law. Prachee Shah recently played Varun Dhawan’s mother in Judwaa 2.
20. Trupti Virani played by Suvarna Jha
Image Source: Hotstar and Santabanta.com
Trupti Virani was Lakshya’s mother. She was known for her unsuccessful plans against Tulsi. She was last seen in another Balaji drama Kasamh Se.
21. Mohini played by Tasneem Sheikh
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
Another Virani bahu and the wife of Harsh Virani, Tasneem played a humourous role of Mohini in the show.
22. Advocate Meera Singhania played by Shubhavi
Image Source: Hotstar and Instagram
The role of Meera Singhania, the lawyer of Virani family, who as the time passed, fell in love with Mihir Virani was essayed by Shubhavi. She is now often seen at get-togethers with her old friends.
Wow, from Hiten Tejwani finding the love of his life Gauri Pradhan Tejwani on the sets to Jeene Ke Ishaare Mil Gaye playing in the background every time Krishnatulsi and Lakshya Virani’s eyes met, those are a lot of memories!
Which character was your favourite?! We would love to know.
