After 17 years, television producer Ektaa Kapoor brought back her iconic show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in July 2025, marking not just the return of a legendary soap opera, but also the return of Smriti Irani to the screen as the beloved Tulsi. The reboot sparked waves of nostalgia among audiences who had followed the original series religiously when it first aired in 2000. However, its release came at a time when Anupamaa, starring Rupali Ganguly, continues to dominate Indian television and top TRP charts.

In a recent interview with India Today, Smriti Irani addressed the frequent comparisons being drawn between the two shows and was quick to dismiss the idea of competition. “When you’ve hit TRPs of 30 — and we did that 25 years ago — only then can you call it a fair comparison,” she said.

She went on to highlight not just the success of the show, but her own journey over the past two decades. “If you have the capacity to be remembered for 25 years, then we can talk competition. I’ve been a three-time MP, a Cabinet Minister, and a BJP member for over two decades. It’s not just about a show — it’s about legacy,” she said.

Calling comparisons with Anupamaa “foolhardy,” Smriti made it clear that shows like Kyunki stand in a league of their own. “You can’t measure something that’s just started against something that ruled for eight years and left a mark that people still talk about today,” she added.

While Anupamaa has indeed made a deep emotional connect with audiences through its story of a homemaker’s transformation, Smriti emphasized that Kyunki’s return is about more than numbers — it’s about cultural impact and staying power.

The reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi blends the original’s themes of family, love, and sacrifice with a modern-day lens. The limited series features a new ensemble cast alongside Smriti Irani, including Amar Upadhyay, Rohit Suchanti, Tanisha Mehta, Shagun Sharma, and Aman Gandhi.

With both shows continuing to resonate with different generations of viewers, the conversation around legacy, impact, and relevance in Indian television is clearly far from over.