Smriti Malhotra-Irani,

By: A Mid Day Correspondent

You know her as Tulsi. Her childhood friends in Delhi will remember her as the shy, unambitious girl whom no one had great expectations from. Except for one man Smriti's grandfather. His death when she was 13 was the first turning point in Smriti's life. Marriage was the next, one she says, that made her grow up.

At 16, Smriti decided to make something of herself to realise her grandfather's dream. She started working in plays and took up distance education. She borrowed Rs 2 lakh from her father and came to Mumbai. She entered the Miss India contest. She laughs that her father had fallen out of his chair when he learnt that his not-very-extraordinary-looking daughter had even made it to the final round.

Then began rounds of telly producers offices, a job at McDonalds and little by little, a few appearances on the telly. Finally, as we all know, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi plummeted her to telly stardom at 25.

Today, several awards, marriage and a baby later, at 26, Smriti doesn't want to plan anything for the future, because, as she says, Things have been so good for me unplanned, that I don't want to jinx it by starting now.

So what is Smriti like in real life? Childlike, impulsive, short-tempered and no, not the calm, calculated peacemaker. But you'd never know that. Because, very likely, it might be Tulsi's image that shall endure. ____________________________________________________________ ______

1. Smriti's first and only portfolio picture at 18

2 . Her first shot for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

3. With son Zohr [1 yr old]

4. Husband Zubin, 12-year-old step-daughter Shanelle and little Zohr, only over a week old