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Kyunki is a side project: Smriti Irani says she is a full-time politician

Kyunki is a side project: Smriti Irani says she is a full-time politician

India Today08-07-2025
Smriti Irani, well-known for her dual career as an actor and politician, is set to return to television in the reboot of the popular show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. In an interview with NDTV, Irani emphasised that while she is excited about reprising her role as Tulsi Virani, her main focus remains her political career. "It ['Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi]' is a side project," Irani stated, highlighting her commitment to politics rather than acting. She entered politics two decades ago and is currently a key figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party.advertisementIrani explained her decision to return to acting as a part-time endeavour, similar to other politicians who juggle multiple roles. She remarked, "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." Her statement reflects the balance she maintains between her responsibilities in the political arena and her interest in acting.The reboot of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' is set to air later this month, with Irani addressing criticisms of the show head-on. She dismissed detractors who claimed the original show glamourised outdated social norms. "Couldn't care less, because the criticism was not constructive or informed," Irani said, defending the show's legacy of tackling significant social issues.
According to Irani, the series has previously addressed themes such as marital rape, adult literacy, and euthanasia - topics which mainstream cinema often shied away from at the time. "The show spoke about marital rape 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 which was meant for family viewing," she noted, pointing out that these were groundbreaking narratives for television.She called the show progressive and said it discussed issues like pay parity, stating, "One's talent and not gender decided how much one will get paid. Ektaa [Kapoor] was given 10:30 slot, which was a dead slot, and we created prime time." The show, which initially aired in a late-night slot, gained popularity and eventually became a prime-time favourite.Irani's stint in the 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' reboot has created a significant buzz already. While not much about the show's story is revealed yet, it is set to premiere on Star Plus at 10:30 pm on July 29. It will also simultaneously run on Disney+Hotstar.- EndsMust Watch
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