A day after the makers unveiled the first promo of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’s much-anticipated reboot, former Union Minister and veteran actor Smriti Irani in an interview with NDTV shared her thoughts on returning to television, her political journey, and balancing both worlds.
Smriti Irani is once again stepping into the iconic role of Tulsi Virani — a character that became synonymous with Indian households when the original aired 25 years ago. Backed again by producer Ekta Kapoor, the reboot has stirred excitement among long-time fans.
When asked whether she felt nervous about reprising a role that catapulted her to fame, Irani responded without hesitation:
“I’m a politician. Nothing that you throw at me will make me nervous ever.”
With characteristic candour, Smriti Irani described herself as a “full-time politician, part-time actor,” adding that she’s always worn multiple hats — something she believes many in politics also do. “Just like many politicians are part-time lawyers, part-time teachers, part-time journalists... I just happen to be a part-time actor. I’ve done it simultaneously, which is what I think is difficult to grasp,” she said.
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“The only difference between me and other political workers is they are part-time lawyers and there’s no videographer with them. There’s no makeup person, no scriptwriter... I’m just the one in the spotlight.”
Reflecting on her return to the small screen, Irani expressed gratitude for a long and diverse career: "For a 49-year-old to have a 25-year run, not only in media but also politics — that is a blessed run.”
She credited both destiny and divine grace for her continued success.
“In our country’s history, never has somebody been able to sustain success in both these very competitive fields. And more so, if you’re a woman, to be at the top of the game in both media and politics is no mean feat.”
Smriti Irani also drew attention to the shift in how television is perceived today compared to two decades ago.
“Television still gets a little bit of the stepmother treatment,” she said.
“Movies get the biggest respect or fascination. OTT stars now have their own sensibilities that are being celebrated. Television, despite generating nearly ₹30,000 crore last year, still struggles for the recognition it deserves.”
Highlighting the scale and impact of the industry, she continued:
“If you combine television and OTT, we’re talking about a ₹55,000 crore market. This is a creative industry with massive sociocultural and economic potential — something even the Prime Minister has spoken about.”
As someone who transitioned from reel life to real-life politics, Irani acknowledged the scrutiny and assumptions she faced.
“There was a perception that actors aren’t serious about constitutional service. But I wanted to showcase that someone from the media fraternity has the capability to serve seriously. I worked my way up from the grassroots because I wanted the respect of my colleagues.”
Her political career began in earnest when she was appointed as Minister of Human Resource Development in 2014. Yet, she never let go of her media roots. Before entering mainstream acting, she worked behind the scenes in news production and even reported on elections in the late ’90s.
On the criticism Kyunki received over the years, Irani was unequivocal:
“The criticism was not constructive. The show talked about marital rape, euthanasia, literacy — issues that even mainstream cinema didn’t touch 25 years ago.”
She also praised Ekta Kapoor’s courage and vision:
“We created prime time from a dead 10:30 pm slot. Pay parity was unheard of back then — but Ekta made it happen.”
Her final message was for her critics and online trolls.
“If you’re in public life, you have to be ready for it. You can’t leverage the victim card. You just take it with a pinch of salt,” she said, adding that empathy helps in dealing with negativity.
“It may be someone’s way of venting due to their own challenges. I’ve learned to recognise that.”
With this reboot, Smriti Irani isn’t just reviving a character — she’s reasserting her dual legacy, balancing public service with cultural influence.
“I’m mindful of the fact that I became a part of families,” she said. “To maintain your individual identity in two powerful ecosystems — politics and television — is humbling.”
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