Smriti Irani at the EXPRESS

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 •SHAILAJA BAJPAI: Last week, you returned to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Ten months ago, you were unceremoniously asked to leave the show. Why are you back and what happened between Ekta Kapoor and you?

When Ekta met me 10 months ago, she told me that Tulsi must die. It’s strange but I didn’t ask her why. I didn’t question her because even when she had asked me to be Tulsi, I hadn’t asked her why. Moreover, I feel it’s a producer’s prerogative. She’s Ekta Kapoor and she has made the careers of many TV stars. What surprised me when Tulsi left was the furore. Public sentiment was hurt. I travel widely across the country for political and social reasons. During my travels, I realised that fans had been missing Tulsi. They were angry and wanted her back. I started out as an actor seeking money and fame. At this stage in my career, I’m fortunate to be able to choose my roles.

•SHAILAJA BAJPAI: So Ekta asked you to come back?

She did call me back. She wants me to be part of the Balaji family. We have nurtured each other’s careers in the past. I don’t think that an old association like ours should sour so quickly.

•PIYUSH ROY: Lead actors are dropped from TV shows like hot potatoes. They have become rather dispensable.

Some actors fade away after a show finishes. Some come with an even shorter shelf-life. It depends on the kind of actor you are. There are many stars, few actors and fewer brands. I am happy to qualify for the last two.

•SURUCHI MAZUMDAR: Do you identify with Tulsi?

I grew up in a conservative family. Even today, we start our day with puja. So the so-called Virani culture of Kyunki... wasn’t alien to me. In fact, one day my father came to pick me up at the airport and I embarrassed him by touching his feet in full view of journalists and fans gathered there. It came naturally to me. So I was very comfortable playing Tulsi.

•SHAILAJA BAJPAI: Everything about the K serials is opulent. Is there a contradiction between the role you play on the screen and the causes of the poor you espouse as a politician?

Tulsi is actually a very simple character. She seldom wears jewellery or bright clothes. I try to keep my characters as simple as possible. I admit our characters do have an impact on audiences. So whenever I interact with fans, I tell them that it’s a celebrity’s real life and work that should be taken as an example, not the characters he portrays.

•LALITHA SRINIVASAN: Why don’t you tell your producers to tone down the greasepaint and gaudiness?

It’s not my place to dictate terms to producers. They know what’s best for their show.

•ALAKA SAHANI: Kyunki... has five generations of a family. Why do we need these generational changes—so many twists and turns, deaths, rebirths, 20-year leaps?

Frankly, I don’t know how many generations have gone by in the 10 months that I have been away! But I always wondered why we had these strategems until I became a producer. It’s always on the producer’s mind to bring in some novelty. Kya karein, twist chahiye, kuch nayapan chahiye (What can one do...we need twists, we need something new). You must understand that at every level in the industry, people have jobs to hold on to, targets to meet. TRPs (television rating points) rule the industry completely. That’s a sword hanging over everyone. If they feel that something will salvage a track, they just go for it. But the real problem is not these twists; the real vultures are the in-between termites and the advertisers who eat away creativity.

•ANURADHA AGRAWAL: You have an enchanting smile. But it is visible only now that we have met you.

As far as Kyunki... goes, it actually depends on Ekta Kapoor. In my own shows, I try to smile a lot.

•SHAHEEN MANSURI: Actors seldom succeed as politicians. You seem to fit into that mould quite well.

Celebrities tend to limit themselves to campaigns and social issues. I have been actively involved in the working of the BJP. They liked the way I worked for the youth wing and today I am state secretary for Maharashtra. I feel that famous people who endorse politics for publicity are open to criticism.

•NAMRATA SHARMA ZAKARIA: Why did you choose the BJP?

This is not very well known, but I am a third-generation BJP member. Even my grandfather was a part of the party. I literally grew up in the Parivaar. So when I took up politics there was no two ways about which party I was going to align with.

•FARAH BARIA: What do you feel about Hindutva?

A BBC journalist once asked me what I thought of Hindutva. I told him that for me there is just one mantra—justice for all, appeasement for none.

•FARAH BARIA: Even in Gujarat?

Even in Gujarat. Gujarat has become a point of reference for communalism and regionalism. The truth is that there is no excuse for communal violence. As a nation, we are one. But the matter is being taken care of in the Supreme Court. Whatever they decide, sar aankhon par (will be acceptable).

•NAMRATA SHARMA ZAKARIA: Do you see yourself as an MP soon? If the party demands more time, will you abandon acting?

Yes, I propose to work and continue doing what the party wants me to. It’s really up to the party. If it wants me to be an MP, I will take it up. For me, the party comes first. As a politician, I deal with people’s lives. And that’s a very serious, responsible role. I can’t play with their sentiments; I cannot make them feel short-changed.