In a powerful comeback, actor turned politician and academician Smriti Irani made a powerful return to the small screen, reprising her iconic role as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2.
The reboot is not only dominating the TRP charts—outshining even long-standing hits like Anupamaa—but it’s also making headlines for Smriti Irani’s record-breaking paycheck.
Though the exact figure remains under wraps, industry sources suggest Irani is commanding a staggering Rs 14 lakh per episode.
This puts her well ahead of television’s previous top earners, including Hina Khan, who reportedly charged up to Rs 2 lakh per episode, and Anupamaa star Rupali Ganguly, whose per-episode fee is said to be around Rs 3 lakh.
In a recent interview with CNN-News18, Irani confirmed the buzz. Asked about her journey from being cast as Tulsi back in 2000 to becoming Indian television’s highest-paid actor, she simply said, “Yes.” But for her, the numbers carry a deeper meaning.
“You also set that benchmark as a professional. If you deliver historically on numbers and revenue, why not? Not everyone watching us knows we negotiate our contracts as employees. I’m part of a union—the first thing I do is ensure my union number is registered,” she explained.
Irani also emphasised the broader responsibility that comes with being a lead actor.
“The idea is—are you truly the star, or do you have the professional capacity to create stars around you? If there is a Tulsi, then Amar Upadhyay creates his own market too,” she added.
With her name now synonymous with both iconic television and political leadership, Irani acknowledges that her presence on set carries weight.
“There’s an assumption that if you’re on that show, you must be damn good at your job,” she said. “And that means there’s a lot of economic benefit others receive as well.”
Interestingly, her stature has evolved beyond entertainment. “A lot of younger actors now approach me with political questions too,” she added with a smile.
From Tulsi to Parliament: Smriti Irani’s Journey Beyond Television
Smriti Irani first captured the nation’s imagination in 2000 as Tulsi Virani, the quintessential daughter-in-law in Ekta Kapoor’s iconic soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
The show not only redefined Indian television but also turned Irani into a household name. Her portrayal of Tulsi—virtuous, selfless, and unwaveringly righteous—deeply resonated with audiences, earning her 14 television awards between 2001 and 2007.
It was a role that cemented her status as one of the most beloved faces on Indian TV. But even at the height of her stardom, Irani’s aspirations reached far beyond the small screen.
Her earlier stint as a finalist in the 1998 Femina Miss India pageant had already hinted at her ambition for a wider platform. In 2003, at a time when her acting career was still soaring,
Irani made a decisive move into politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Guided by senior party strategist Pramod Mahajan, her entry into public life was more than a career pivot—it was a bold, calculated step that reflected her drive to shape a larger narrative.
For Smriti Irani, who joined the BJP in 2003 and quickly rose to be part of the select few leaders with easy access to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s residence, it would be hard to separate politics from academia or even entertainment.
The reboot has brought back popular characters such as Tulsi Virani, played by Smriti Irani, and Mihir Virani, played by Amar Upadhyay, along with a younger cast.
