Smriti Irani on her TV comeback with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi: 'I'm a full-time politician, part-time actor'

Smriti Irani returns as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2, balancing politics and acting, and addressing past criticism while reflecting on her 25-year dual career journey.

Smriti Irani/Instagram

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi the daily soap that dominated Indian television in the early 2000s, will be returning for a second season, and Smriti Irani will be making her acting comeback. In anticipation of the new season airing on July 29 at 10:30 pm on Star Plus and JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium), the actor discussed how she plans to juggle her political job with her return to being onscreen.

"Full-time politician and part-time actor"

The fact that Irani is primarily known as a politician was emphasised in a recent interview with NDTV. She said, "Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is a side project. For most consumers, the project is not one individual; it’s always a group of actors coming together. A group of writers coming together. I am, very humbly so, the most recognisable face out of that mix of people but I am a full-time politician and a part-time actor."

She made an analogy to other political experts. Irani emphasised, "Just like many politicians who are part-time lawyers, part-time teachers, and part-time journalists. I just happen to be doing it simultaneously, which is difficult to grasp. I am just the one in the spotlight."

ALSO READ: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi gets a release date: Here's when and where you can watch Smriti Irani's return as Tulsi Virani on OTT

Responding to criticism of show's legacy

A long-standing complaint that the original show promoted reactionary notions was also addressed by the actor-turned-politician. She said she "couldn't care less" about the debate, as the criticism was uninformed and lacking in substance. Irani further added, "The show spoke about marital rape 25 years ago. The show was about adult literacy 25 years ago. The show spoke about euthanasia 25 years ago. Those were issues that were not even touched by mainstream cinema, and we did it commercially in a television slot that was meant for family viewing."

The actor went on to say that the show was essential in establishing new standards for television. She revealed, "One needs to understand that for 25 years there was nothing called pay parity. We brought pay parity, where one’s talent and not gender decided how much one would get paid. Ektaa Kapoor was given the 10:30 slot, which was a dead slot, and we created prime time."

Crossover career spanning two decades

"For a 49-year-old to have a 25-year run, not only in media, but also in politics… That is a blessed run, because in our country’s history, never has somebody managed to, with God’s blessings, be successful in both these very competitive fields. And more so, if you’re a woman, to be at the top of the game continuously for two and a half decades in media and politics is no mean feat. But that is also somewhere where destiny and luck have had a role to play," she concluded, reflecting on her career across two fields.

Irani's comeback as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is creating a stir in India's television industry. It's a moment when tradition, modernity, and nostalgia all come together.

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