Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is set to appear on Smriti Irani’s television show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, the makers announced through a promo on Thursday.
In the video, Smriti, who plays Tulsi Virani, gets on a video call with Bill Gates and says, “Jai Shree Krishna, bahut accha laga yeh jaanke ke aap seedha America se mere parivaar se judd rahe hai. Aapka hum sab besabri se intezaar kar rahe hai (We are grateful that you are connecting with us and our family directly from America. We are waiting for you)."
In the caption, the makers wrote, “A new relationship is about to form in the story of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. It is about health, empathy, and change. And the world's biggest changemaker, Bill Gates, is going to connect to this story with a thought: may every mother and child be safe and healthy. Two different worlds, with the same purpose - mother and child's health, reaches every home. To know Mr. Bill Gates and our Tulsi's views on this issue, please visit #KyunkiSaasBhiKabhiBahuThi. Tonight at 10:30 pm, only on #StarPlus and #Hotstar.”
Smriti spoke about this to CNBC-TV18 and said “This marks a historic moment in Indian entertainment. For far too long, women's and children's health has remained at the margins of mainstream dialogue. This initiative is a powerful step towards changing that.”
The new episodes will talk about creating awareness about the health of pregnant women and newborns as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works towards these causes.
The popular television show was recently rebooted for a second season, continuing the storyline of Tulsi, a simple and idealistic woman, who marries into the powerful and conservative business clan of Mihit Virani (Amar Upadhayay). Created by Ekta Kapoor, Kyunki... first aired in 2000 and ran for over 1,800 episodes till 2008.