Posted:
Everyone knows her as Indian television's Tulsi.
Small screen actress Smriti Irani has, however, come a long way and is co-producing a pioneering tele-serial about Mahatma Gandhi, aimed at Indian and international audiences. BT spoke to Smriti minutes before she took a flight to Bharuch to stage her play, and we asked what inspired her to take up this ambitious project. 'It's an effort to narrate the other side of a story that's largely untold. Mahatma Gandhi was also a husband, father and a family man.
Though his sacrifices have been chronicled on the big screen, we want to highlight the sacrifices made by his family,' says Smriti. She adds that the project won't just be about the Mahatma, but will throw light on his childhood, his marriage and relationship with Kasturba and the support he received from her.
Telling the story of such a historic and revered figure must have required a lot of research. 'We got in touch with all the prominent foundations that deal with Gandhiji's life and works. An internal panel, comprising Indian and international historians, has been formed to study and source the right information.
In addition, we have the books written by Gandhiji himself for reference and the cooperation of two Gandhian scholars,' says Smriti. However, she hasn't consulted any of Mahatma Gandhi's family members. 'Mahatma Gandhi is a national treasure and there is sufficient credible information available on him. But we may contact a few family members if the need arises,' says Smriti.
But the million-dollar question that still remains to be answered by Smriti is: who will play the role of Mahatma Gandhi? 'The scripting and casting for the serial is happening simultaneously. We've decided who'll be playing Mahatma Gandhi's character and shall announce it soon,' says Smriti, reluctant to give away more details. 'We'll also be shooting on actual locations to give authenticity to the serial, which will be bilingual to cater to both domestic and international audiences,' she adds.
And what about her much-awaited move to filmdom? Smriti is making her big-screen debut with a movie called Mallik Ek. 'The film is just my way to say thanks to Sai Baba. It's based on the life and teachings of Sai Baba and I'm the narrator of the film.' There are more questions, but Smriti has to catch her flight. 'The last few years have seen me graduate from an actor to a writer to a producer. In 2009, you'll see me doing something new and very different,' she promises.
Small screen actress Smriti Irani has, however, come a long way and is co-producing a pioneering tele-serial about Mahatma Gandhi, aimed at Indian and international audiences. BT spoke to Smriti minutes before she took a flight to Bharuch to stage her play, and we asked what inspired her to take up this ambitious project. 'It's an effort to narrate the other side of a story that's largely untold. Mahatma Gandhi was also a husband, father and a family man.
Though his sacrifices have been chronicled on the big screen, we want to highlight the sacrifices made by his family,' says Smriti. She adds that the project won't just be about the Mahatma, but will throw light on his childhood, his marriage and relationship with Kasturba and the support he received from her.
Telling the story of such a historic and revered figure must have required a lot of research. 'We got in touch with all the prominent foundations that deal with Gandhiji's life and works. An internal panel, comprising Indian and international historians, has been formed to study and source the right information.
In addition, we have the books written by Gandhiji himself for reference and the cooperation of two Gandhian scholars,' says Smriti. However, she hasn't consulted any of Mahatma Gandhi's family members. 'Mahatma Gandhi is a national treasure and there is sufficient credible information available on him. But we may contact a few family members if the need arises,' says Smriti.
But the million-dollar question that still remains to be answered by Smriti is: who will play the role of Mahatma Gandhi? 'The scripting and casting for the serial is happening simultaneously. We've decided who'll be playing Mahatma Gandhi's character and shall announce it soon,' says Smriti, reluctant to give away more details. 'We'll also be shooting on actual locations to give authenticity to the serial, which will be bilingual to cater to both domestic and international audiences,' she adds.
And what about her much-awaited move to filmdom? Smriti is making her big-screen debut with a movie called Mallik Ek. 'The film is just my way to say thanks to Sai Baba. It's based on the life and teachings of Sai Baba and I'm the narrator of the film.' There are more questions, but Smriti has to catch her flight. 'The last few years have seen me graduate from an actor to a writer to a producer. In 2009, you'll see me doing something new and very different,' she promises.
Book Talk
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
