Actor turned politician, Smriti Irani, is back on Indian television as Tulsi Virani in Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabbhi Bahu Thi 2. Reportedly, the ex-Union Minister is charging Rs 14 lakh per episode for the show, which makes her the highest-paid actor on the small screen. This was even confirmed by Smriti Irani during a recent interview, being the highest-paid actor on Indian television, but she didn't disclose the exact amount.
The current contemporaries of Irani on Indian television, including Rupali Ganguly and Hina Khan, approximately charge Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh per episode. While Dilip Joshi, aka Jethalal from Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah, charges Rs 1.5 lakh per episode.
While giving an interview to CNN News 18, Smriti was asked about being the highest-paid actor on television, and she confirmed the news without giving a thought or hesitating for a bit.
She said, "You also said that benchmark as a professional, to say that if you deliver on history, on number, and revenue, why not? Because not everybody who is watching us knows we get to negotiate on our contracts as employees. I am a part of a union, so the first thing I do is actually have my union number registered."
The 49-year-old actor added, "The idea is, are you truly the star or do you have the professional capacity to make stars around you? If there is a Tulsi, then Amar Upadhyay quintessentially creates his own market. So, do you become that pivot, that sounding board, that other actors then can enhance their economic value? That I have managed to do through the project, so my co-stars today can say, Oh, we are a part of that."
Kyu Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi returns...The former hit show 'Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' comes back with another season on Indian television, with Smriti Irani returning as everyone's beloved Tulsi Virani. The last season aired in 2000 and witnessed a successful run for eight years.
The cast of the show became a household name in India, with 'Tulsi' being renowned as the ideal daughter-in-law. The show explores her journey in the Virani family, where she navigates through family traditions, conflicts, moral dilemmas, and generational changes in the journey.
Back then, Smriti earned Rs 1,800 per episode, after which it increased to Rs 8,000, then Rs 35,000, and eventually Rs 50,000.
In the reboot, Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay return as the lead. It also stars Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan, Rohit Suchanti, Shagun Sharma, Amar Gandhi, Tanisha Mehta, Ankit Bhatia, and Prachi Singh.
The show will have 150 episodes this time. It is already topping the TRP charts and receiving immense love and appreciation from the audience.