NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
In a crossover few expected, American philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has made his Indian television debut in the reboot of the iconic soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2.
A short teaser released by Star Plus shows Gates greeting the show’s lead character, Tulsi Virani—played once again by Smriti Irani—with a warm “Jai Shree Krishna” via video call. The brief exchange immediately went viral, drawing reactions from audiences across India and abroad.
Reports in Indian media, including The Economic Times and The Times of India, confirm that Gates’ cameo is part of an episode highlighting maternal and newborn health, an area long supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in India. The appearance is said to reflect his philanthropic outreach and the foundation’s collaboration with Indian initiatives that promote women’s and children’s well-being.
The new series, produced by Balaji Telefilms, premiered on July 29, 2025, on Star Plus and is also available for streaming on JioCinema. It revisits the beloved Virani family saga from the original 2000s show, blending nostalgia with contemporary storylines.
While Gates has previously appeared on the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory, there is no record of his appearance on Frasier. His cameo in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 marks his first participation in an Indian television production.
