Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi: A look at the cast Then and Now

Smriti Irani (Tulsi): Smriti Irani started her career as a model-actress but it was ‘Kyunki...’ and her character as Tulsi, the ideal daughter in-law, which brought her fame and was much-loved and appreciated by the audience. So much so that even after so many years since the show ended, Smriti has now become synonymous to Tulsi. Interestingly, Smriti has left her acting career for politics. She is now a cabinet minister in the Bharatiya Janta Party government at the Centre.

Sudha Shivpuri (Baa): Sudha Shivpuri, lovingly known as ‘Baa’ from the show ‘Kyunki...’, played the grandmother in the popular series. The veteran actress started her acting journey through films, theatre and TV serials but it was Ekta Kapoor’s show which made her a popular face on television. Unfortunately, ‘Baa’ passed away in 2015 at the age of 77 following prolonged illness.

Amar Upadhyay (Mihir Virani): There was a time when actor Amar Upadhyay had a huge fan following courtesy his famous role as the male protagonist Mihir Virani in ‘Kyunki...’. But the actor soon left the show at the peak of his popularity to chase his acting dreams in Bollywood which didn’t succeed. The actor was seen as a contestant in the reality show ‘Bigg Boss Season 5’ wherein he had frequent heated arguments with fellow contestant Juhi Parmar, following which he was also seen in a few other shows on the small screen.

Ronit Roy (Mihir Virani): Ronit Roy started his career in acting through films which were getting a lukewarm response at the box office. It was then that he was offered a role by Ekta Kapoor’s production for the shows ‘Kammal’ and ‘Kasauti Zindagi Kay’; with his performance being appreciated in the latter show, Roy was then offered the role of Mihir Virani in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’. Post a successful stint on the small screen, Roy has been getting offers for supporting roles in movies too. Interestingly, apart from having an acting career, he also owns a security and protection agency which caters to Bollywood actors.

Karishma Tanna (Indu): Karishma Tanna played the role of Indu in the show. It was the debut show for the actress who is now popular for her sting in Bigg Boss season 8 where she fell in love with Upen Patel. Though the actress is not dating the Bollywood hunk anymore, she definitely enjoys a huge fan following. Karishma is currently seen in dance based reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9.

Mouni Roy (Krishnatulsi): One of the most popular actresses on television, Mouni Roy also debuted on TV with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2007. Though she played the role for one year, but it earned her recognition and the actress started getting other offers. She was last seen in the hot finite series Naagin, which will soon return with its second season.

Apara Mehta (Savita Mansukh Virani): A renowned theatre, TV and Bollywood personality, Apara Mehta started her television career as a child artist when she hosted a children’s show on DD. She played the role of Savita Mansukh Virani, Mihir Virani’s mother in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’. Over the years, Apara has done many shows on the small screen like ‘Parrivar’ and ‘Hamari Saas Leela’. Apart from her appearances in a few films, Apara is currently seen on television in shows including ‘Jamai Raja’ and ‘Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai’.

Ketki Dave (Daksha Virani): Think of Ketki Dave the first thing that comes to our mind is her famous dialogue ‘Aara ra ra ra’ in the perfect Gujarati accent which she frequently said while playing the role of Daksha ben in the show. It’s noted that the actress had left the show in between due to her differences with the creative team, only to return after a few years as Daksha ben back from America. Ketki is also an accomplished theatre actress; she has done about 75 Gujarati plays, made appearances in few films and is a regular in TV shows.

Mandira Bedi (Dr.Mandira Kapadia): Mandira Bedi played the character of Mandira, a negative role in ‘Kyunki...’. In the show, Mandira falls in love with the much married Mihir and ends up having a son with him. After the show went off air in 2008, Mandira was seen on the small screen hosting the Cricket World Cup, and as a judge on other shows. She has also tried her hands in fashion designing. What’s more, with the fitness freak that she is, looks like Mandira is growing younger with each passing year.

Narayani Shastri (Kesar Anupam Kapadia): Television and theatre actress Narayani Shashtri played the role of Kesar Anupam Kapadia in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’. Kesar was Tulsi’s sister in the show. Currently she is seen in TV shows, apart from appearing in side roles in few Bollywood movies.

Aman Verma (Anupam Kapadia): Aman Verma played Anupam Kapadia in the show, who was a mysterious business associate Mihir had never met. Anupam finally met the Viranis for the first time after Mihir's supposed death where he falls in love with Tulsi. This was a major turn in the show, as on the day when Anupam and Tulsi were supposed to get married, Mihir reappeared directly at the venue of their wedding! Later Anupam married Kesar, Tulsi's sister. The show gave Aman Verma the much needed fame and he was seen in various shows, even as a host. In 2005, the actor was a target of a casting couch sting operation after which he was on a long break from the small screen. The actor will soon marry co-actor Vandana Lalwani.

Jaya Bhattacharya (Payal Mehra): She played the role of Payal Mehra, a grey shade. Payal was supposed to get married to Mihir, but Mihir chose Tulsi over her. Years later, Payal returned as a revenge-seeking in-law of the Virani family. Jaya Bhattacharya was in class 10th when she first bagged an acting role by fluke when she was living in her hometown Lucknow and since then there has been no looking back. She co-owns a production house which produces shows for DD and also owns an NGO ‘Thank You Earth’.

Hussain Kuwajerwala (Chirag Himmat Virani): Model turned actor Hussain Kuwajerwala made several appearances on the small screen in the past, but it were shows like ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ and ‘Kumkum’ which brought him fame. In ‘Kyunki...’ he played the role of Chirag Virani, Mihir’s cousin brother. After the show went off air in 2008, Hussain also hosted many shows including ‘Shabaash India’, ‘Khullja Sim Sim’ season 2, ‘Indian Idol’ season 3, 4, 5, 6. He hoted Indian Idol Junior season 2 with co-host Asha Negi last year. Hussain has also tried his hands in reality shows like ‘Khatron ke Khiladi’ 2015 where he had reached the semi final round. He also made his debut in Bollywood in the film Shree, which didn’t do well at the Box Office.

Hiten Tejwani (Karan Virani): Hiten Tejwani played the role of Karan Virani, Mihir’s illicit son with Mandira. He played a negative role in the show, where he was married to Nandini played by Gauri Pradhan. Later when Nandini went to jail, Karan married Bhumi played by Reshmi Ghosh. Co-incidentally, Hiten and Gauri fell in love and are a real life couple! They are married and are blessed with twin sons.

Kamalika Guha (Gayatri Jamnadas Virani): TV actress Kamalika started her acting career through theatre. She was then chosen for ‘Kyunki...’ to play the role of Gayatri ‘Chachi’ in the show. Few know that Kamalika had worked in an ad agency before taking up acting, where she met her now husband Rajnish. She is a known face on television and is seen shows like ‘Ganga’.

Sumeet Sachdev (Gautam Mihir Virani: He played the character of Gautam Virani, fondly called ‘Gomzi’, the first son of Tulsi and Mmihir Virani. Since then he has made several TV appearances. He made his directorial debut in his short film ‘Rehman Saheb Ko Phone Karna Hai’.