Smriti Irani Becomes Highest-Paid Indian TV Actress in 2025

Television icon and Union Minister Smriti Irani is reportedly making a high-profile return to the small screen with the revival of the cult hit Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The series, which once defined Indian soap operas, is set to resume with a special 150-episode run.

Television czarina Ektaa Kapoor confirmed the news at a recent media gathering, stating that the upcoming reboot is designed to mark the iconic show's 2000th episode milestone. Kapoor emphasized the emotional connect and nostalgia surrounding the series, bringing original cast members together for a commemorative finale arc.

Sources across entertainment portals, including India Forums, claim Smriti Irani will reprise her legendary role as Tulsi Virani. In a striking return to fiction after years in active politics, Irani is reportedly being paid Rs 14 lakh per day, making her the highest-paid television actress in 2025. While the remuneration figure awaits official confirmation, insiders suggest the deal is unprecedented in Indian TV history.

In line with the show's high-stakes production, enhanced security protocols are in place, including Z+ category security for Irani during filming. The production set will operate under a strict no-phone and limited-access policy to prevent leaks ahead of the grand launch.

Smriti Irani’s re-entry into television merges her past stardom with her present political stature. She entered politics in 2003, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and went on to serve as an MP from Amethi after a high-profile victory in 2019.

Irani’s television career began with Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal in 2000. However, her portrayal of Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi made her a household name. The original series ran from 2000 to 2008 and earned her multiple awards, including five Indian Television Academy Awards and four Indian Telly Awards.