In a heartfelt reunion that blends nostalgia with fresh beginnings, actor Hiten Tejwani has stepped back into his iconic role of Karan Virani for the second season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which premiered recently on Star Plus and JioHotstar. Joining him in this revival is Smriti Irani, who has reprised her legendary role as Tulsi Virani—now known just as ‘Tulsi Ma’ among the audience and her on-screen family.

Speaking to a media outlet, Hiten Tejwani expressed his delight and deep emotional connection with Smriti Irani, despite her having moved on to a significant political career in the last decade. “She is my Tulsi Ma on screen, and even today, that bond remains untouched,” he said.

The show’s return brought together fans who had cherished the original, which was a defining television saga of Indian households. The camaraderie between Karan and Tulsi still sparkles, Tejwani noted, as he reminisced about the first day of the shoot: “It was like we never left. The connection was instant.”

Smriti Irani: A professional both in politics and on screen

Tejwani also spoke admiringly about Smriti Irani’s ability to juggle her demanding political role with her return to acting. “As a politician, everyone knows she’s doing the best. On set, she’s still 100% professional—prompt, spontaneous, and deeply involved,” he shared.

Even though Irani has served as a Union Minister in the central government, Hiten emphasized that her approach to work in front of the camera remains unchanged. “She handles everything else when not in a scene. But once the camera rolls, she’s entirely Tulsi Ma,” he said.

Chemistry that hasn’t faded

Reflecting on their long-standing working relationship, Hiten explained that his perception of Smriti Irani hasn’t shifted dramatically due to her political stature. “It just added another layer to her persona. Even when we were working in the original Kyunki, we had a sense that she might head towards politics,” he recalled.

Yet, when it comes to sharing the screen again, the mutual comfort remains. “Sometimes you’re just lucky to have a co-artist where the chemistry is inbuilt,” he added.

As the new season unfolds, viewers are not only getting a dose of nostalgia but also witnessing the seamless blend of old emotions with new narratives, led by stars who’ve grown yet stayed grounded in their characters.

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has firmly defended the team’s decision to reject England captain Ben Stokes’ proposal for a draw during Day 5 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. With Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar on the brink of individual milestones, Gambhir said the players deserved the chance to complete their centuries.

On the final day, England’s Stokes extended a handshake offer with 15 overs remaining, hinting at drawing the match. However, India, driven by a remarkable batting comeback, chose to continue as Jadeja was batting on 90 and Sundar on 85. Both players eventually scored unbeaten centuries, helping India finish at 425/4, erasing the massive 311-run deficit.

“Our boys earned those tons,” says Gambhir

In a strong post-match statement, Gambhir questioned the timing and motive behind England’s draw proposal, stating:

“If someone’s batting on 90 and another on 85, don’t they deserve their centuries? Would England have walked off if their own players were close to milestones? No. Our boys weathered the storm. They earned those tons. We’re not here to please anyone.”

The response came after criticism over India’s decision to continue the match despite the match drifting toward a draw. Gambhir maintained that personal achievements also matter, especially when earned under pressure.

Shubman Gill lauds Jadeja and Sundar’s courage

Indian batter Shubman Gill, who also scored a century (103), praised the temperament and skill shown by the team’s middle order. Backing the call to decline the draw, he said:

“Definitely it was up to the boys, but we thought they batted brilliantly. Both of them were in their 90s, so we thought they deserved a century.”

India had crumbled to 0/2 early in their second innings, but a disciplined performance led by Gill, KL Rahul (90), Jadeja (107*), and Washington Sundar (101*) ensured a respectable end to the Test.

Gill further elaborated on the team’s mindset under testing conditions, saying the goal was to “play ball by ball” on a tricky Day 5 pitch and stretch the game deep.

With the ban on 25 OTT platforms, including Balaji Telefilms-owned ALTT, for streaming obscene content kicking in, Ekta Kapoor has come up with a clarification that she and her mother Shobha Kapoor had stepped away from ALTT’s board of directors in June 2021.

Kapoor, the founder of Balaji Telefilms, took to social media on Saturday to inform the media that she or her family was not to be blamed for the content on ALTT for which it had been censured by the government. Balaji Telefilms still has control of ALTT but Kapoor’s family has no direct say in it.

Referring to reports or innuendo floating in the media, she said any insinuation to the contrary is denied.

Kapoor said ALTT is operated by Balaji Telefilms Ltd, following its merger with ALT Digital Media Entertainment Ltd on June 20, 2025. She said Balaji Telefilms is a professionally run, law-abiding media organisation, listed on BSE and NSE, which adheres to the highest standards of corporate governance.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting banned the OTT platforms on July 23, 2025 for streaming obscene and pornographic content. The decision was reportedly made after consultation with various ministries, as well as industry bodies, and experts in women’s and children’s rights.

The ban has been invoked under Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, Section 294 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

Reports quoting government officials said the 25 OTT platforms had faced a crackdown for airing sexually explicit scenes, nudity, and distasteful portrayals of family relationships without narrative context, despite repeated warnings by the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights and the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council. The decision follows general public distaste and concern, and a petition in the Supreme Court demanding regulatory action against obscene content.

Actor and MP Ravi Kishan commended the decision to ban the OTTs for obscene content. He said the platforms were producing soft porn in the guise of entertainment, and called the move a step towards cultural responsibility. He likened the ban to the Laxman Rekha that will ensure content creators adhere to the norms of Indian culture.