Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi was among the longest-running and most popular television shows. Smriti Irani who essayed the role of Tulsi in the said show became a household name. But did you know that the director of the show initially did not consider her to be fit to play Tulsi? Even the creative director had first refused to cast her. Well, this is something Smriti Irani has herself revealed as she recalled the good days to celebrate the 20 years of Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi.
Sharing the video of her first shot, Smriti Irani penned that producer Ekta Kapoor was called on the shooting floor by the director to state that the actress cast has Tulsi does not have it in her and hence, the show will be a flop. Smriti Irani wrote, "20 years ago this was possibly one of my first scenes with Sudha Aunty. I raced through my lines ,nervous as hell coz @ektarkapoor was called to the shooting floor by the director who told her the project was a sure shot flop since the girl cast as Tulsi did not have the talent to see it through. Upon enquiring why I was not unleashing my full potential as an actor I told her “ can I play the character as I deem fit instead of being told how to emote?” I promised her I’d take help of every colleague possible if I felt I can’t measure up alone. EK said done and the rest was TV history."
She further wrote, "Today 2 decades later in absentia I say thank you for the belief @ektarkapoor , thank you @monishasinghkatial for first refusing to cast me & then supporting me all the way."
Smriti Virani then went on to thank all the members of the show, all her co-stars and even the villains played by Mandira Medi and Jaya Bhattacharya for being absolute sweethearts off-screen.
We are glad that Tulsi wasn't replaced on the show as no one would have played the character better than Smriti Irani. (Also Read: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi: Ekta Kapoor Celebrates 20 Years Of Her Iconic Show; Recalls Memories Of Pitching Her Saas-Bahu Drama-Video)
Image Source: Instagram/smritiiraniofficial