Smriti Irani is making headlines with her return to the small screen in the reboot of the iconic show "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi". The actress-turned-politician is reportedly earning a staggering ₹14 lakh per episode for reprising her role as Tulsi Virani. This significant paycheck has not only placed her among the highest-paid television actors in India but has also sparked conversations about pay parity in the entertainment industry.
Irani's journey with "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" began in 2000, where she initially earned ₹1,800 per episode. As the show's popularity soared, her salary gradually increased to ₹8,000, then ₹35,000, and eventually ₹50,000 per episode. Now, with the reboot, her earnings have seen a massive 77,678% hike. This jump is a testament to her enduring brand value and the faith the producers have in her return.
The substantial pay increase has led to comparisons with other leading television actors. For example, Rupali Ganguly, the star of "Anupamaa," reportedly earns ₹3 lakh per episode, while Dilip Joshi, known as Jethalal in "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah," earns around ₹1.5 lakh per episode. Other top earners include Jennifer Winget, Tejasswi Prakash, Shraddha Arya, Harshad Chopda, and Hina Khan, whose per-episode salaries range from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh. Irani's ₹14 lakh per episode fee surpasses all of these figures, solidifying her position as the highest-paid TV actor in India.
Notably, Irani's paycheck is significantly higher than that of her on-screen husband, Amar Upadhyay, who plays Mihir Virani. Upadhyay is reportedly earning around ₹1.5 lakh per episode. This pay disparity is considered a rare instance in Indian television, where a female lead earns considerably more than her male counterpart, highlighting a shift towards pay parity for women in the industry.
Other members of the original cast are also returning for the reboot. Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, who portray Karan and Nandini Virani, are reportedly earning between ₹1 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh per episode. Kamalika Guha Thakurta, who plays Gayatri Jamnadas, is said to be charging between ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh per episode, depending on her screen time.
Ekta Kapoor, the producer of "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi," expressed her excitement about the show's return. She stated that when they created the show over two decades ago, they never imagined it would become such a defining part of India's television legacy. With "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi: Tulsi Ka Safar," the intent is to revisit and celebrate that legacy by curating the most powerful moments from the original series into a format that today's audiences can experience with fresh eyes.
Smriti Irani also shared her thoughts on returning as Tulsi Virani, stating that it is not just a step back into a role but a return to a story that redefined Indian television and reshaped her own life. She added that the show gave her more than commercial success—it gave her a connection with millions of homes and a place in the emotional fabric of a generation.
The reboot of "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" premiered on July 29 on Star Plus and JioCinema. The show will have 150 episodes.
