The first episode of ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2’ aired on Tuesday night, and it took fans straight back to the world of Shanti Niketan.
The makers wasted no time in bringing emotions to the forefront, opening the show with a nostalgic tribute to the original characters: Tulsi Virani (played by Smriti Irani), Baa (Sudha Shivpuri), and Saas Savita Virani (Apara Mehta).
The popular title song, “Rishton ke bhi roop badalte hain…” played in the background.
The story then moved to the present, 25 years later. A lot has changed. Shanti Niketan is no longer home to all the Viranis. Karan (Hiten Tejwani), Shobha (Ritu Chaudhary), and Hemant (Shakti Anand) are living separately.
Hemant is now a lawyer based in Delhi. Daksha Chachi (Ketki Dave), still full of quirks, is now obsessed with social media and the glamour industry.
As the episode progressed, we got small but important introductions to new characters. Angad (Rohan Suchani), Pari (Shaguna Sharma), and Hritik (Aman Gandhi) made brief appearances.
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A big hint was dropped about Gayatri (Kamalika Guha Thakurta). While she has always been seen as a calm and positive figure, this time the makers have hinted that her character might explore some darker shades as well.
Even though not all original cast members have returned, the makers have tried to bridge the gap by bringing in new faces who seem well-prepared to carry forward the family drama. There is still that same emotional tug, with old memories being mixed with new conflicts.
The episode also gave a glimpse into what lies ahead. Property disputes, family clashes, and of course, some classic ‘kalesh’ (chaos) that viewers of the original show would remember all too well!
The show is now available on both Star Plus and OTT platforms. And, it seems ready to connect with an old audience as well as a new generation.