In a heartfelt throwback, television czarina Ektaa Kapoor recently revealed that the iconic role of Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi almost didn’t go to Smriti Irani — until her mother, Shobha Kapoor, stepped in with a strong instinct.
During a candid media interaction, Ektaa shared how she had auditioned several actresses for the pivotal role of Tulsi in the early 2000s but wasn’t completely sold on any of them. Smriti Irani, then an aspiring actress and former Miss India contestant, had auditioned too — and while Ektaa initially wasn’t fully convinced, her mother Shobha Kapoor saw something exceptional.
“My mom watched the audition tape and immediately said, ‘This girl is Tulsi,’” Ektaa recalled. “I wasn’t sure at first, but my mother was adamant. She just had that gut feeling.”
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That decision would go on to define Indian television history. Smriti Irani’s portrayal of Tulsi Virani became a cultural phenomenon, turning her into a household name and laying the foundation for her transition into politics years later. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi became one of the longest-running and most beloved soap operas in Indian TV history.
Ektaa added, “Smriti brought strength, grace, and authenticity to Tulsi. Looking back, I thank my mom for insisting. She saw what I couldn’t at that time.”
This nostalgic revelation comes at a time when the reboot version of the iconic show is drawing fresh attention, with fans reminiscing about the original cast and storylines. And now, viewers have one more reason to appreciate the behind-the-scenes magic — the instinct of a mother that helped shape a TV legend.