Apara Mehta Hosts ‘Kyunki’ Girl Gang, Cooks for Former Co-Stars After 26 Years

Sharing a picture from the gathering on social media, Apara celebrated the long-standing bond she shares with her former co-stars and described them as the “OGs” and friends for life.

“My Kyunki group of lovely ladies! The OGs, friends for life! It was a pleasure hosting and cooking for you for the first time in so many years! Thank you for coming, and let's keep on having such lovely evenings, filled with lots of laughs, love and good food!” she wrote.

Smriti Irani, who became a household name with her portrayal of Tulsi Virani in the iconic television drama, was quick to compliment Apara’s culinary skills.

Commenting on the post, Smriti wrote, “Appa you are an awesome cook ... you need to do the supper theme get together for people who appreciate culinary history & attributes of Gujarat.. they will get an additional peek into textile heritage too.”

The photograph captures the actresses enjoying their reunion, with Apara dressed in a red Ikkat outfit in the front. The gathering also featured Smriti Irani, Ritu Chaudhary, Gauri Pradhan, Komalika Guha Thakurta and other familiar faces from the long-running series.

*Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi* premiered in July 2000 and went on to become one of the most popular family dramas in Indian television history. The original series ran for around eight years, with Smriti playing Tulsi Virani and Apara portraying Savita Mansukh Virani.

Apara’s Savita was introduced as Tulsi’s mother-in-law and initially embodied the stereotypical difficult mother-in-law. However, the relationship between the two characters gradually underwent a significant transformation, becoming one of the show's memorable emotional arcs.

One of the most intense sequences involving Savita and Tulsi came towards the end of Savita’s storyline in the first season. After Savita was left paralysed following an attack, she asked Tulsi to switch off her ventilator because she did not want to continue living in extreme pain and in that condition.

Tulsi eventually complied with Savita’s request, resulting in an emotionally charged sequence and a confrontation with Mihir. The storyline remains among the most discussed and remembered tracks involving the two characters.