My health needs attention: Smriti - Artic

Smriti Iraani

Tell us honestly, are you leaving Kyunki?


I am taking a 20-day break from the show. I don't know how that led to talk about me leaving the show. I've been working non-stop for Kyunki for the last seven years, so I could do with a short break.

However, I never thought that a much-needed sabbatical would make national news! I have given my sweat and blood to Kyunki. Why would I talk about leaving it?

The buzz is that you categorically asked Ekta to relieve you from the show.

I don't think any actor in Balaji has willingly whitened his or her hair or decided to play an elderly person as much as me.

In fact, when the leap was being discussed, I was the first one to talk to Shobhaji and tell her that I wanted to go grey. After doing all this and giving everything to Tulsi, why would I want to be relieved from a show I love?

So when are you going on a break?

Not at the moment. I think all this drama started because my break is coinciding with a new track in Kyunki, so people have assumed that I am leaving the show.

At the moment, my health needs immediate attention. I've told Ekta that I need some time off to relax. Now it's up to her how long a break she can give me. It could be a month, a week, or even a day. It's her call.

What about the fight on the Kyunki set, where Ekta and you hurled abuses at each other?

That is a figment of someone's overactive imagination. A journalist messaged me saying that such an incident had happened and wanted me to retaliate, but I just forwarded it to Ekta.

Both of us had a hearty laugh over it. In fact, the next day my make-up man, who is always with me on the set, asked me when this happened as he had been with me the entire time.

I've stopped reacting to malicious and false reports. I didn't react to the stories that have appeared over the last three weeks, where every day there was a new story, a new name and a new version of what's happening.

It's only when Baa (Sudha Shivpuri) asked me if I was leaving Kyunki that I got worried. I couldn't believe that people had taken the rubbish seriously.

There were reports that you demanded a fee hike upto Rs 3 lakh per day.
No production house has the budget to accommodate such an amount for an artist.

I have a contract with Balaji that is open for scrutiny. It's absurd for someone to claim such a thing.

So you and Ekta have had no fallout?

I have always believed that Ekta and me are in an arranged marriage. I was one of the first actors to start my career alongside Ekta. I have seen her grow and have tremendous respect for her talent and creativity.

In fact, Ekta has told me that Virrudh (Smriti's first production) is an excellent show. She is immensely proud of what I have achieved.

Will you ever get bored of playing Tulsi?

Never. Tulsi will always be close to my heart. I owe a lot to my audience and respect their love and admiration. I want to tell the audience to trust Ekta and me. I am not going anywhere. I will be on a short break and will return to the show when I can.