Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist Bill Gates has made his Indian television debut on Ekta Kapoor’s iconic show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2.
The unexpected appearance of the billionaire has taken both fans and the internet by surprise.
Gates appears via video call with the beloved matriarch Tulsi Virani, played by Smriti Irani, who has returned to television after a 12-year hiatus.
The clip opens with Gates greeting her warmly, saying, “Namaste Tulsi ji, Jai Shri Krishna.” Tulsi responds with her trademark smile and greeting before expressing joy that he has connected “directly from America to her family.”
Gates replies with a simple “Thank you, Tulsi ji,” marking what may be one of the most unexpected moments in Indian TV history — the man who created Windows stepping into the world of Indian soap operas.
The show’s producers revealed that this was not a random cameo but part of a special collaboration promoting maternal and child health — a cause that aligns closely with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s work across South Asia.
The promo’s caption reads:
“This time, amidst the story of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, a new relationship is forming — one of health, compassion, and change. And joining this story is one of the world’s biggest changemakers — Bill Gates, with a vision: that every mother and child stays safe and healthy.”
Actor Smriti Irani called the collaboration a “historic moment in Indian entertainment,” saying it helps bring long-overdue focus to women’s and children’s health. “To bring together one of the world’s most respected global voices with one of Indian television’s most influential storytellers is the start of a people’s movement rooted in awareness, empathy, and action,” she added.
Producer Ekta Kapoor shared her delight online, calling Gates’ “Jai Shri Krishna” moment the “best part” of the collaboration.
The episode featuring Bill Gates aired on Star Plus on 23 October, marking what fans are calling a “milestone moment for Indian television.”
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