The protagonist turns Producer

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The protagonist turns Producer

From her matriarchal coccoon to the wilderness of youth, actress and politician Smriti Z Irani has made a smart switch

Laxmi Birajdar

Pune, August 22:: IF TULSI is impulsive, preachy and larger than life, Uma is level-headed, hopeful and humble. If the former epitomised the Indian family tradition, the latter is a contemporary woman's alter ego. Now, Smriti Z Irani, the much-talked-about model bahu of Kyun Kii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi-fame and politician, sheds her archaic garb to pursue the simple pleasures of life in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan, that went on air on Star Plus on August 21. No wonder, the middle-class Maharashtrian protagonist Uma, with her feet firmly grounded and head held high with hope, further highlights Irani's acting prowess. And, turning producer for the first time, Irani unraveled her role on and off screen on Tuesday afternoon at Hotel Pride. "I had completely left the characterisation of Uma to my co-producer Ekta Kapoor and the serial's script writer Kamlesh Pandey," says Irani, who also hand-picked the serial's cast that includes Marathi veteran actors like Usha Nadkarni and Achyut Potdar.

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"The story is based in a chawl which is an extended family in itself," says Irani, who closely relates to the realities that the serial portrays. "The story is about common people and their struggles. I've struggled a lot in my life and have closely observed women who run from pillar to post to make ends meet and young girls who don't want to get married but want to let things happen at their own pace. That's why it wasn't difficult for me to etch these characters," claims Irani, who unlike Tulsi, does not try to change situations onscreen. "Uma is not a revolutionary. She is more concerned about earning her two daily meals and seeing to her family," she adds. After spending six years in the television industry, Irani has been able to pick the creative and technical aspects of the small screen. "It's all about knowing your game, picking your team well and relating to your team-mates," she asserts. She even claims to have broken down the walls of protocol and authority while managing her team as a producer. And, she's sure she won't regret the switch from Tulsi to Uma. "I've played Tulsi for six years and I'm not trying to encash on her. I was bored of playing the same character and wanted to do justice to my viewers by coming up with something different," says the actor.

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The protagonist turns Producer

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