Dramas / Star Plus
Star Plus · 2000
In Mumbai, the wealthy Gujarati Virani family lives under the wise eye of its matriarch, Amba, known as Baa. Into this household comes Tulsi, a priest's daughter who marries Mihir, grandson of the business tycoon Govardhan Virani. The serial follows Tulsi as the model daughter-in-law holding a sprawling, quarrelsome family together across several generations.
It ran from 3 July 2000 to 6 November 2008, 1,833 episodes in all.
All-time blockbusters
It was the most successful serial of its time, ranked number one with double-digit TRPs for seven continuous years and peaking at 22.4 in May 2001. It debuted on 3 July 2000, the same night as Kaun Banega Crorepati, and the two shows changed Star Plus's fortunes. With 1,833 episodes over eight years it is one of the longest-running Indian soap operas.
Kyunki marked a turning point for producer Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms. It led to Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, and the three formed Star Plus's “big 3” through the 2000s. Smriti Irani's Tulsi became one of the best-known characters on Indian television. The household of Shantiniketan is first dominated by three daughters-in-law, Savita, Daksha and Gayatri, under Baa's watch. Over eight years the story moves across generations of the Virani family.
Slot not confirmed
Star Plus · Started 3 July 2000 · Last episode 6 November 2008 · 1,833 episodes.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Smriti Irani | Tulsi Virani |
| Sudha Shivpuri | Amba Virani (Baa) |
| Shakti Singh | Mansukh Virani |
| Apara Mehta | Savita Virani |
| Jaya Bhattacharya | Payal Mehra |
| Sumeet Sachdev | Gautam “Gomzy” Virani |
| Ashlesha Sawant | Teesha Virani |
| Ritu Chaudhary | Shobha Virani |
Last checked 22 October 2026.