Smriti Irani, the popular actor-turned-politician, is set to return to the small screen with the second season of her iconic show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, but she views her acting career as a “side project” compared to her political work.
Balancing the Worlds of Politics and Acting
Smriti Irani recently shared her perspective on juggling two demanding careers. She describes herself as a “full-time politician and a part-time actor,” emphasizing that her role in television is supplementary to her political commitments.
She clarified that while she is the most recognizable face of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, the show is a collaborative effort involving many actors and writers. This perspective frames her acting work as akin to other politicians who also pursue part-time professions like law or journalism.
Irani acknowledged that her dual career path, especially being in the spotlight for both, can be challenging for people to fully grasp. She remains humble about her recognition, attributing it to being “the one in the spotlight” rather than the sole force behind the show.
Defending Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’s Legacy
Despite criticism that Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi promoted patriarchal values, Smriti Irani remains unfazed. She asserts that such criticism is often uninformed and lacks constructive insight into the show’s actual content.
She highlighted the show’s progressive themes, noting that it tackled sensitive subjects like marital rape, adult literacy, and euthanasia a quarter-century ago. These topics were rarely addressed in mainstream cinema at the time, let alone in a family-oriented television slot.
Irani also championed the show’s impact on industry standards. She proudly stated that Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi played a significant role in establishing pay parity, where talent, not gender, determined an actor’s remuneration. Furthermore, she credited the show and Ektaa Kapoor for transforming the 10:30 PM slot, previously considered a “dead slot,” into prime time television.
A Remarkable Two-and-a-Half-Decade Run
Reflecting on her long career, Smriti Irani expressed gratitude for her continuous success in two highly competitive fields: media and politics. She noted that a 49-year-old having a 25-year run at the top is a rare blessing.
Being a woman who has consistently excelled in both domains for over two decades is no small feat in India’s history. Irani attributes this remarkable journey not just to hard work but also to the significant roles played by destiny and luck.
- Smriti Irani considers her acting role in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi a “side project” to her political career.
- She defended the show, stating it addressed progressive themes like marital rape and euthanasia 25 years ago.
- Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi helped establish pay parity and transformed a late-night slot into prime time.
Fans can look forward to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi returning to screens from July 29 at 10:30 PM on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
