Actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani became a household name with the hit show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (KSBKBT). Smriti, who played the role of Tulsi Virani, said that she used to get very little money when she started acting. She recounts how tough it was at the beginning because she didn’t have much experience. However, the politician said that after two-three years of acting, she was unstoppable. Smriti also looked back on missed opportunities like Dil Chahta Hai.
In an interview with Brut, Smriti said, “When I left I was the highest paid actor in Indian television. But I also had a few conditions. I missed on many opportunities. I missed opportunities where I would not do a pan masala ad. I was very clear that this is not how I perceived myself to be. I would not go to weddings. There was a lot of money in that, but I had a different view of myself as a professional.”
The politician continued, “I had familial responsibilities. I didn’t want it to become an embarrassment for my family members so I wanted to lead my life as an actor with dignity. I made choices where even in the first 3 months of KSBKBT I was offered main leads in movies but I had decided I’ll have a baby and I knew if I’m wanting to have a baby, I can’t be some heroine running around trees. One of those movies was Dil Chahta Hai which I said no to audition and they were like ‘are you mad, this is DCH.’”
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When asked about which heroine’s role she was offered, Smriti said, “It was not Preity Zinta’s role for sure but it was one of the other ladies who was there, one of the main leads.”
Farhan Akhtar made his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai starring Aamir Khan, Akshaye Khanna, and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles. The film also starred Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia and was released in 2001. Smriti ventured into politics in 2003 and was appointed as the Vice-President of the Maharashtra Youth Wing.
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