She once ruled every Indian living room. Now after over two decades Tulsi Virani returns not just with a new storyline but also a new salary bracket that has everyone doing a double-take. Smriti Irani now a political figure is stepping back into her most iconic role in the reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi which premieres on 29 July at 10:30 PM on Star Plus. How much was she paid in the 2000s? According to the reports when the original show aired in 2000 Irani reportedly earned just Rs 1800 per episode. Fast forward to 2025 and shes now allegedly clocking in a Rs 14 lakh fee per episode an almost mythic leap in TV history. Though no official confirmation has been made this reported paycheck is enough to crown her the highest-paid daily soap actress of the year. A teaser that broke the internet The channel dropped a dramatic first look at the reboot with the caption Kya aap abhi bhi vishwaas nahi kar paa rahe? 25 saal ke baad Tulsi Virani laut rahi hai. Fans stunned by her unchanged charisma flooded social media with nostalgia and theories. Smriti in full Tulsi mode says in the promo “Zaroor aaoongi. Kyunki itne saalon ka rishtha jo hai. Waqt aa gaya hai aapse phir milne ka.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by StarPlus (@starplus) What’s the new plot and who’s the villain now? While the makers remain tight-lipped about the storyline industry insiders hint at an entirely new family drama layered with modern themes and darker turns. With Kyunki 2.0 Star Plus seems to be betting big on sentiment and scale. Whether this comeback rides on legacy or reinvention one thing’s for sure Tulsi’s return is no small-screen event; it’s a television resurrection.