Since the official announcement of season 2 of “Kyunki SaaS Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” on July 7, the ironic, nostalgic or impatience comments have been piled up on social networks in Mauritius. Whether you appreciate it or not, one thing is certain, this series in Hindustani has marked the spirits with a record penetration rate, still unequaled to date.
Some are waiting for the new season with feverishness. The name Tulsi, the main character of Kyunki SaaS Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has even become synonymous with the series itself. Launched 25 years ago, she left a deep imprint in several regions of the world, notably in Mauritius. Remember these evenings where you absolutely had to be at home before 6.30 p.m. so as not to miss the rest of the episode, often with a breathless suspense! Sometimes, it was necessary to wait a week or more, before knowing the outcome, just to plunge into another equally captivating plot.
Dramatic is the word that sums up this cult series. Moreover, in Mauritian current language, the term “tulsi” is sometimes used to designate a particularly dramatic person. Tulsi was this model daughter-in-law, always benevolent towards his family, ready to do anything to preserve the family unit even going so far as to kill part of her, her son ASH, to protect hers. She also had to face the hostility of her mother-in-law, who refused this marriage between the daughter of a pandit and a rich family, the Virani.
The title of the series literally means “because the mother-in-law was also a daughter-in-law”, a reality in which many Mauritians found themselves, as the relations between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are often complex. As the credits “Rishton Ke Roop Badalte Hain” says, relationships evolve).
The Gujaratie culture, the embossed hairstyles, the saris draped with a unique section on the shoulder, the make -ups supported and the underlined eyes of black Khôl to accentuate the malicious look of those who wanted to sow discord between Tulsi and Mihir … All these visual elements have nourished the collective imagination. This is also the role of a soap opera to dream, transmit messages, and reflect certain values.
An unforgettable character
“The character of Tulsi, whether we love him or hate him, remains engraved in memory long after his sermons,” says Krishnee Adnarain Appadoo, 37 years old. She was 13 when she discovered the series for the first time. “The suspense at the end of the episode was particularly exciting. I also remember colorful and traditional costumes, as well as impactful dialogues, ”she says.
She remembers getting home after lessons, welcomed by the opening credits of the series broadcast on national television, while the comforting smell of the Faratas freshly prepared by her mother invaded the house. “The intrigues were excessively dramatic, but this theatrical side gathered the family in the living room, around a good meal and some bursts of laughter. This remained a precious moment to strengthen links, especially in the context of an extended or recomposed family, ”she explains.
For her, the series also made it possible to open the debate on important themes. “It has helped to trigger discussions on gender equality, the preservation of family values, but also the evolution of mentalities in South Asian societies still very marked by patriarchy,” says Krishnee Adnarain Appadoo. She is looking forward to season 2: “I can’t wait to see how the producers will renew history, integrate new actors, while mixing the old guard”.
Return of Smriti Irani?
It has been a few years since Shreshtha Ballgobin, 43, no longer looks at soap operas. She often finds them too dramatic, even surrealist. However, the announcement of season 2 of Kyunki SaaS Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi fueled his curiosity. “I am especially waiting for the return of actress Smriti Irani to the screen. She experienced a remarkable journey, first as an actress, then as an influential politician. She is particularly appreciated for her inspiring speeches. All these experiences accumulated over the years have undoubtedly strengthened her skills, and I am curious to see how she has evolved as an actress. Already at the time, the series was largely based on its shoulders in the role of Tulsi, ”she says.
This center from Center-de-Flacq remembers being 18 years old when she discovered the series. “I was mainly captivated by the messages transmitted at the start of the series, in particular the importance of family values and the need to preserve and transmit them. We also saw how to live in an extended family and learn to compose with everyone’s opinions, ”she recalls.
The return of the series also inspired many mees on Facebook. One of the most popular is posted by Jessigen Murday on July 8, “Tulsi p Gagn letan iron so comeback … You to ankor single mm. »(Sic). The publication generated more than 1,900 reactions and was shared by 432 Internet users.
Limited episodes
Ekta Kapoor, son of actor Jeetendra, is recognized for revolutionizing the small Indian screen. She is notably the producer of the famous series “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”. On March 23, she wink to the former Minister Smriti Irani on the occasion of her birthday. The latter remains popular for having embodied the emblematic character of Tulsi.
On July 7, Ekta Kapoor officially announced, via its Facebook page, the return of the series as it approaches its 25th anniversary. Three days later, on Thursday, July 10, she confirmed the release of a season 2 in a statement published on this same social network. “The series returns with a limited number of episodes to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The objective is to impact, question, move and above all, inspire. With a lot of entertainment, enthusiasm and sincere emotions, ”she says.
However, his first reaction was a categorical refusal to relaunch the series. “Why shake the tree of nostalgia?” You can never compete with nostalgia, ”she writes.
Founder of the famous company Balaji Telefilms, Ekta Kapoor underlines how the television landscape has evolved. She insists that “Kyunki SaaS Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” exceeded the codes of the traditional soap opera, because the series raised sensitive subjects such as domestic violence, marital rape, age -related stigma, or even euthanasia, often mentioned in family dinner scenes.
Ekta Kapoor adds that a study by an international organization had revealed that the series had given a voice to Indian women in their home. “Between 2000 and 2005, for the very first time, women began to take part in family discussions, a transition widely influenced by Indian television, notably through ‘Kyunki SaaS Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ and ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kip,” she explains.
The producer recalls that no series has managed to match the record rate of penetration of “Saas Kyunki Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”. “The series had ended on a suspense, even an abrupt end. Can we move it away from current narrative formats and refocus on social subjects that television once dared to approach? Can we tell striking stories, rather than running after the hearing? She wonders.
The press release finally specifies that the new season will tackle contemporary themes such as parenting, the balance between concern and control, or even subjects intended to arouse debate. “Can we use the most loved and integrated media in India, television, to tell a story that resonates, entertainment, but also educates? “Concludes Ekta Kapoor.
1,833 episodes in 8 years
The return of Kyunki SaaS Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is scheduled for Tuesday July 29 on Star Plus. The series was broadcast from July 3, 2000 to November 6, 2008. It has 1,833 episodes. The main protagonists are Tulsi and Mihir, embodied respectively by Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay. The latter left the series thereafter, and the role of Mihir was taken successively by Inder Kumar, then Rohit Roy.
The series had to be interrupted in 2008 due to the drop in the penetration rate, which explains its abrupt end, marked by the announcement of the arrival of Parth, the lost son of Karan and Nandini.
Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay will resume their role in season 2.
