‘Never Asked Again’: Jaya Bhattacharya Says She Was ‘Most Underpaid Actor’ On Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Jaya Bhattacharya, known for her role in "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi," revealed she was the lowest-paid actor on set for seven years, receiving minimal raises compared to co-stars.

Jaya Bhattacharya, known for her role in "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi," revealed she was the lowest-paid actor on set for seven years.

Source : Instagram

Actor Jaya Bhattacharya, who played the role of Payal Parikh in the iconic daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi alongside Smriti Irani, has opened up about her experience on the show. In a candid chat, she revealed that she was the most underpaid actor on the set throughout her seven-year stint on the series.

Jaya Bhattacharya Opens Up About Pay Disparity

In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube podcast, Jaya reflected on her journey with the show.

Sharing her experience, she said, “I was the most underpaid actor. I never got a raise. Only once I asked for a raise, and while everyone got a raise of 2 thousand rupees, I got only 1 thousand. That hit my ego, so I didn’t ask for it ever again and hence didn’t get a raise for a straight 7 years.”

When asked whether her co-stars received pay hikes during those years, Jaya confirmed, “Ohhh yes… woh log toh kahan se kahan paunch gaye (They reached great heights in their careers).”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi revolutionised Indian television with its emotional storytelling, unforgettable characters, and iconic dialogues. The show aired from 2000 to 2008 on Star Plus and was produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms. At its heart, it followed the Virani family and their strong-willed daughter-in-law Tulsi, played by Smriti Irani.

Its impact was monumental, transforming the Indian television landscape and cementing the “saas-bahu” genre as a cultural phenomenon.

The Show Returns After 17 Years

Now, 17 years later, the beloved series is returning with a reboot. Set to premiere on Star Plus and JioCinema on July 29, the new promo features Tulsi discussing the importance of sanskar (moral values) in today’s changing world.

The teaser caption reads: "Badalte waqt mein ek naye nazariye ke saath laut rahi hai Tulsi! Unke iss naye safar mein judne ke liye kya aap hain taiyyar? (In changing times, Tulsi returns with a new outlook. Are you ready to join her on this journey?)."