Viewers in India were caught off guard when global philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates made a rare appearance in one of the country’s most iconic television dramas, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (Because the Mother-in-Law Was Also Once a Daughter-in-Law). His brief role alongside actress and former cabinet member Smriti Irani has become a talking point nationwide.
The episode, which aired on Thursday night, showed Gates joining the show to discuss maternal and child health, an issue his foundation has been addressing for years in collaboration with governments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Both states, known for their dense populations and economic challenges, have recorded steady progress in reducing infant and maternal deaths, although experts say the battle against deep-rooted social attitudes continues.
In a country where television still shapes popular opinion, Gates’ decision to use a beloved family drama to spread awareness about women’s health has been described as a masterstroke. “To change mindsets, messages must reach homes and hearts — and television does exactly that,” said one public health expert familiar with the campaign.
First aired in July 2000, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi became a household name for nearly a decade, running thousands of episodes on Star Plus before concluding after eight-and-a-half years. Twenty-five years after its debut, the show made a comeback this July, now under JioStar Entertainment, with Irani reprising her iconic role as Tulsi Virani.
Shailaja Bajpai, columnist and Readers’ Editor at The Print, said the show’s revival was already drawing nostalgic viewers, but Gates’ appearance has “brought it right back into public conversation.” She added, “If you take away the gadgets, mobile phones, and laptops, it’s still the same story — just updated. The drama, emotions, and family conflicts are all there.”
This time, however, the series carries a stronger social message. “It fits Irani’s profile more now,” Bajpai noted. “Having served as the minister for women and child development, she’s using the platform to highlight themes like divorce, maternal care, and women’s health.”
The four-minute scene featuring Gates opens with him greeting Tulsi in Hindi. “Namaste Tulsi-ji,” he says, smiling as she replies, “Yes, absolutely perfect.” The exchange follows a viral clip of Tulsi advising a pregnant woman at a baby shower. When her son tags Gates in the video, he unexpectedly responds, agreeing to a video call.
Initially flustered, Tulsi jokes, “What will I say to him? I only do video calls with you all or your father about grocery shopping.” But as the call begins, she confidently explains the meaning behind traditional celebrations like the godh-bharai (baby shower).
“We come together to bless a young expectant mother, we wish her lots of good health,” she says. “We tell women how essential it is to look after their health, their nutrition and diet. We tell them to follow the doctors' instructions and go to a hospital for their delivery.”
The two agree that “when mothers are healthy, children thrive and the world can make significant progress.”
In a statement to the BBC, JioStar Entertainment said the collaboration aimed to use storytelling to drive awareness. “We believe storytelling can do more than entertain — it can inform, inspire and create change,” said Sumanta Bose from JioStar. “By weaving socially relevant topics into our narratives, we hope to create an impact that goes beyond the screen.”
Gates is expected to appear in three episodes of the new season. Since the promo aired, the cameo has taken the internet by storm — the Instagram teaser alone gathered over six million views in less than a day, with thousands of amused and curious reactions.
“What is this multiverse?” one viewer joked, while another commented, “It’s so cringe but I also love it so much.”
Even as modern streaming services dominate entertainment, Gates’ unexpected television moment seems to have revived India’s once most-watched family saga — at least for now.
