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bibi haneeza

@hazelline

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Posted: 19 years ago

After several roles on the television and off it, Smriti Irani brings in her own show

Mumbai, August 4: Smriti Irani is finally shedding the Tulsi cloak. The actor is all set to play a young protagonistXUmaXin Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman co-produced by her and Ekta Kapoor. A weekend show, it is to be launched on Star Plus on August 19. In the show, Uma tries to find a balance between the reality shes tied to and her dreams. She craves for a little space of her own, especially with belonging to a lower middle-class family where if the parents can afford to educate only one child, the son is given a preference. Shes the kind who will work that extra shift and get jostled in the train just to support her family which is completely dependent on her because her father and brother have lost their jobs due to a mill closure. I call it the reality show with an Ekta Kapoor twist, says Irani.

Despite the change, she is obviously sticking with old pal, Balaji. I was in talks with Star for producing another show when Shobha Kapoor suggested that I co-produce my first big venture with Balaji. There was no way I could refuse because she gave me my big break as Tulsi. Now Ekta Kapoors lucky charm has become mine, too. In its seventh year now, the actors run with Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi, where she now plays grandmother, has maintained interest. I was recently in Ahmedabad, for my play Maniben.com, where some women came upto me and complained about my current look in the serial. They wanted to know why I was wearing long blouses and cotton sarees. I reasoned that a woman who has left her husband and lacks economic support will hardly take an interest in her appearance. I believe in being realistic and I am not bothered about how I look. Even today when I tell the make-up man to give me wrinkles, he threatens to quit, she laughs. Despite the serials hectic schedules, Iranis managed to dabble with theatre and with being a TV anchor. While her first play Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein had her donning business suits to play a career-conscious woman of today, in the SAB TV talk show Kuch Dil Se, she seemed more like myself. The only miss, so far, seems to be films. In my initial years as Tulsi I got a lot of film offers to play the nice bhabhi. But I was very busy then. Now, I am interested only if its a substantial role. But the most strongest of Iranis moves has probably been becoming a politician. A permanent member of the Maharashtra State Executive of the BJP Wing, she is currently serving a third term on the National Executive committee. Irani says, The party has given me important placements which belies the notion that stars are used only for campaigning. I am actively working on issues close to meXthe National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and farmers suicides. I also feel that terrorism in India has not been addressed appropriately. At the centre of all this activity, is a personal life which Irani seems to have handled well. She shoots close to her home so that she has time to pack her children off to school and join them again for lunch. My husband, Zubin, is my best friend. I have no problems with him except that he is more of a workaholic than I am.

Edited by hazelline - 19 years ago

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