Since the official announcement of season 2 of “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” on July 7, ironic, nostalgic or impatient comments have been pouring into social networks in Mauritius. Whether we like it or not, one thing is certain, this series in Hindustani has marked the minds with a record penetration rate, still unmatched to this day.
Some are waiting for the new season with fever. 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, it has left a deep mark in several parts of the world, including Mauritius. Remember those evenings when you absolutely had to be home before 6:30 p.m. so as not to miss the rest of the episode, often with breathless suspense! Sometimes, you had to wait a week, or even more, before knowing the outcome, just to plunge back into another equally captivating plot.
Dramatic is the word that summarizes this cult series. Moreover, in Mauritian everyday language, the term “Tulsi” is sometimes used to refer to a particularly dramatic person. Tulsi was this model daughter-in-law, always benevolent towards her family, ready to do anything to preserve the family unit even going so far as to kill a part of her, her son Ansh, to protect her own. 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 relationships between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are often complex. As the title “Rishton ke roop badalte hain” says so well (relationships are evolving).
The Gujaratie culture, the waffle hairstyles, the saris draped with a single side on the shoulder, the strong makeup and the eyes underlined with black kohl to accentuate the malicious gaze 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 make people 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. She was 13 years old when she first discovered the series. “The suspense at the end of the episode was particularly exciting. I also remember the colorful and traditional costumes, as well as the impactful dialogues,” she says.
She remembers coming home after school, greeted 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 plots were exaggeratedly dramatic, but this theatrical side gathered the family in the living room, around a good meal and a few laughs. It remained a precious moment to strengthen ties, especially in the context of an extended or recomposed family,” she explains.
For her, the series also opened 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?
Shreshtha Ballgobin, 43, has been watching soap operas for a few years now. She often finds them too dramatic, even surreal. However, the announcement of season 2 of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi fueled his curiosity. “I’m especially waiting for the return of actress Smriti Irani to the screen. She had a remarkable career, 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 rested largely on her shoulders in the role of Tulsi, “she confides.
This resident of Centre-de-Flacq remembers being 18 when she discovered the series. “I was especially captivated by the messages conveyed at the beginning of the series, including 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 deal with everyone’s opinions, “she recalls.
The return of the series also inspired many memes on Facebook. One of the most popular is posted by Jessigen Murday on July 8, “Tulsi p gagn letan fer so comeback… you to ankor single mm.” (sic). The publication generated more than 1,900 reactions and was shared by 432 Internet users.