Could Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 have gone even higher?

 he return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 has indeed created a significant stir in the television industry, challenging the long-standing dominance of Anupamaa by tying for the top spot in the TRP charts in its debut week (Week 30, July 26–August 1, 2025) with a TVR of 2.3, according to BARC data. This is a remarkable achievement for a rebooted show, especially considering Anupamaa’s consistent reign as the top-rated Hindi daily soap. The buzz around Smriti Irani’s return as Tulsi Virani, combined with the nostalgic appeal of the iconic show, has clearly resonated with audiences, drawing 31.1 million TV viewers in just four days, with 15.4 million tuning in for the premiere episode alone, and clocking over 1.659 billion watch minutes across TV and streaming platforms. This makes it the highest-rated fiction launch across general entertainment channels (GECs) in recent times and the biggest GEC fiction debut in India across both TV and digital platforms.

Key Points on the TRP Performance and Context

1. First Week Draw: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 matched Anupamaa’s TRP of 2.3 in its debut week, with its premiere episode achieving an impressive 2.5 TVR, the highest for any Hindi GEC fiction launch in the past five years. This indicates a strong initial response, but the draw suggests Anupamaa’s loyal fanbase remains robust despite the competition.
2. Smriti Irani’s Brand Value: Smriti Irani’s return as Tulsi, coupled with the nostalgic pull of the original show (which peaked at a TRP of 23 during its 2000–2008 run), played a significant role in the reboot’s success. Her star power, combined with Amar Upadhyay’s return as Mihir and a mix of original and new cast members (e.g., Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan, Shagun Sharma, Rohit Suchanti), fueled significant online buzz, with over 17,300 social media mentions. However, the question of whether the show could have opened higher given this hype is worth exploring:
   • Factors Supporting a Higher Opening: The intense nostalgia, Ekta Kapoor’s production backing, and Smriti Irani’s established brand as both an actor and a public figure created massive pre-launch anticipation. The show’s premiere on July 29, 2025, was marketed as a cultural moment, blending legacy storytelling with modern elements, which could have pushed the TRP beyond 2.5 for the premiere or sustained a higher weekly average.
   • Challenges Limiting the Opening: The TV landscape has changed significantly since the original show’s peak, with a fragmented audience due to streaming platforms and declining overall TV viewership. Most fiction shows now struggle to cross the 2.0 TVR threshold in their debut week, making Kyunki 2’s 2.3 TVR a notable achievement. Additionally, Anupamaa’s entrenched fanbase and consistent storytelling posed a formidable barrier to a higher opening.
3. Decline in TV Numbers: The broader context of declining TV viewership is critical. The original Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi achieved TRPs as high as 22–23 in the early 2000s, a feat unimaginable in today’s fragmented media environment where even top shows rarely exceed 2.5 TVR. The reboot’s 2.3 TVR, while impressive, reflects the reality of a diluted TV audience, with viewers split across OTT platforms, social media, and other entertainment options. The show’s availability on JioHotstar likely boosted its overall reach (1.6 billion watch minutes), but TV-specific TRPs are constrained by this industry-wide trend.
4. Could Kyunki 2 Have Opened Higher? Given the buzz and Smriti Irani’s brand value, the show arguably maximized its potential within the current TV landscape. A premiere TRP of 2.5 is exceptional, and the weekly average of 2.3 matches Anupamaa, which has been a juggernaut for years. A higher opening (e.g., 3.0 TVR) might have been possible with even more aggressive marketing or a less competitive timeslot (10:30 PM is late-prime), but the fragmented audience makes such numbers increasingly rare. The show’s ability to sustain or grow its TRP in the coming weeks will depend on its storytelling, emotional engagement, and ability to retain nostalgic viewers while attracting younger audiences.
5. Future Outlook: The coming weeks will be critical. Kyunki 2’s narrative, which blends nostalgia with fresh drama (e.g., Pari’s defiance, Angad’s accident, and a hit-and-run conspiracy), has hooked viewers, but maintaining momentum against Anupamaa’s established emotional arcs (Rupali Ganguly’s portrayal, family conflicts) will be challenging. If Kyunki 2 sustains its 2.3+ TVR and leverages its streaming success, it could solidify its position, but Anupamaa’s loyal audience may reclaim the top spot unless Kyunki 2 introduces compelling new twists.