Kitu Gidwani, a renowned actor from Indian Television's golden period, has expressed her disappointment with the current state of television. In a recent conversation, she criticized the low quality of contemporary TV shows and the overemphasis on saas-bahu dramas.
Gidwani reminisced about the 1980s and 90s, when powerful female characters drove entire narratives. She mentioned iconic shows like Rajni, Udaan, Shanti, and Swabhiman, which featured strong, central female characters.
Kitu contextualized these stories within a larger social churn, noting that television mirrored the uncertainty of a society in transition. She praised the richly diverse storytelling of that era, which included shows like Gul Gulshan Gulfaam and Junoon.
Gidwani did not hold back when asked about contemporary television, stating that it is a "whole different universe" and that she detests the saas-bahu obsession. She expressed her disappointment with the current state of television, saying that it is all about business and that people love it despite its low quality.
Kitu Gidwani's acting journey mirrors the evolution of Indian television. She has played varied roles in films like Fashion, Dhobi Ghaat, and Student of The Year, but according to her, the highlights of her career came on the international stage with the film Dance of the Wind.
Kitu has worked selectively across television, films, and OTT in recent years, choosing roles that offer depth rather than visibility. Her latest projects include Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum and Madam Driver, in which she played a regal and tradition-bound Rani Sa and a woman working as a professional driver, respectively.
