Smriti Irani's flying blues
| Smriti Irani |
Amidst the Heathrow bomb scare, and subsequent tightening of security at various airports, actor Smriti Irani flew to London to attend the Sky Festival.
Back home in Mumbai, Smriti shares her experience of the tour. "People thought I was mad to visit London amidst the bomb threats. But both the security personnel and the passengers were co-operative. Life goes on and we can't sit idle at home. As I boarded the flight, there was confusion while settling down. To my surprise the flight was packed with passengers," says Smriti.
Recalling the entire security procedure at the Mumbai airport, Smriti further adds, "It was tough, but thankfully, I had warned my entire crew to come prepared. So, things were relatively easy as we towed the line and did not carry any hand baggage or liquid material with us. However instead of one security check, we had to undergo three security checks before we alighted. They also checked our footwear, which they have never done before."
However, it wasn't smooth sailing for Smriti on reaching London. She says, "In the UK, people are not used to such a detailed scrutiny. We had to wait for one hour in the queue before we could head for the security check. They were strict and two of my crew members lost their baggage. There were several such passengers complaining about their lost bags. The security people were creating a great ruckus over passengers carrying anything liquid. Aditya and Afzal from Star India were constantly in touch with us over the phone. Since they had already informed some people back in London about our arrival it smoothened the process and at the end of the day, we all managed fine." But the excessive scrutiny and harrowing airport wait did not dampen the spirit of the festival. "We were all charged up and the show was brilliant. We performed to a packed house. So, I guess it was worth the trouble,"she informs.
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Uma Di on Raksha Bandhan
Wishing you a Happy Raksha Bandhan is Tulsi a.k.a Smriti Irani, who is soon to be in your homes as Uma Didi. Here she shares and wishes all her fans, and welcomes you to watch her new show! indya: Hi all! A very good morning to all you indyans gathered out there for the online special chat! Celebrating the spirit of Raksha Bandhan, indya.com brings you two special chats!
indya: Hi Smriti and welcome to the chat on indya.com! Nice to have you with us today! kkavybarsaat: Hi Smriti my name is Gurleen, I am 10 years old I am your biggest fan and so is my brother who is only 5 years old, we love you! I cannot wait till your next serial… Happy Rakhi from Canada. smritiirani: Hi Gurleen, my best wishes for you and your entire family for this Raksha Bandan, I'm delighted that a ten year old can find space for me in your lives, wish you and your brother a world of happiness and togetherness on this auspicious occasion, hope you like my coming series as much as you like me as Tulsi in Kyunki… asdfgf_4729: Do you have any brother and how are you celebrating Raksha Bandhan? smritiirani: I don't have a brother, I indulge with my son and daughter, I see their camaraderie and wish I did have someone to share Rakhi with! guest46: How does it feel to be Uma Didi after being Tulsi for so long? smritiirani: Its a new experience, a new challenge, I look for to it, there is smile on my face and I look forward every day's shoot , this show gives me an opportunity to showcase a new side to my craft. calcutta_sweta: Smriti, Sweta here , who is your moral support and a Happy Raksha Bandhan? smritiirani: Thank you, wish you too. My family is my support! calcutta_sweta: Smriti, can you tell us about your family? smritiirani: I am married to Zubin Irani, I am a mother of two, as I grow older, I just hope I'm as beautiful a mother, aunt and grand mother as I'm in my television soap. guest52: Smriti, I watch your show every single day and I want to be like Tulsi too... I seriously admire you and your acting and I can't wait to watch Uma Didi. smritiirani: My heart felt thanks to you, that's a lovely compliment, I hope I do justice to the role. Most importantly, we should look up to people amongst our family as they are our real support. siddharthatri: Smritiji can I be your brother from now onwards? smritiirani: Of course!, Siddharth, its nice of you to offer to step in! asdfgf_4729: Why doesn't the new serial Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasma made in coordination with Ekta Kapoor, not starting with letter 'K'? smritiirani: It's a title I suggested keeping in mind hopes, aspiration and freedom of middle class families in independent India, I thought the title was more suitable, and thankfully Ekta agreed! calcutta_sweta: Smriti, which Mihir was good working with? smritiirani: I have always believed in being honest as honestly is the best policy, so I should avoid answering this question! calcutta_sweta: Smriti, which was your first project and how was your experience that time and what was the reaction of your family? smritiirani: I like the on going series of Kyunki…, I get lots of adulations and respect from my fans. For any female professional to get that kind of respect at work is the best feeling! ghu1993: I'm an actress in Orissa, I am 13 years old and I'm eager to act in Ekta Didi's soaps... And I want your wishes smritiirani: Best wishes on your ambition, but I would suggest you to pursue your education now as a strong education foundation equips you for the best in any profession! guest42: Who do you like the most out of all your sons in Kyunki? Karan, Gautam, Harsh or Sahil (like a son)? smritiirani: As an individual I have a history with each of them, Karan is married to Gauri (my batch mate in college), Gautam was my batch mate at school, I have had a long and good working relation with Sahil and Harsh. As mother and son relationship in Kyunki, there is one pair that is most and I would say Tulsi and Karan! asdfgf_4729: When will you come back to Mihir and throw out the idiotic Meera? smritiirani: With Meera looking prettier by the day, do you honestly think Tulsi has a chance of coming back? calcutta_sweta: Smriti tell us something which we don't know about you? smritiirani: I'm a very private person irrespective of being in public life, I've ensured to stay private as that's the least I owe my friends and family. asdfgf_4729: How do you describe success in your life? smritiirani: I would not judge success as per how big a house or how many cars one has, I would rather think that successful person is one who invests time, effort and love in his or her relationships, because that's one investment that gives you the best returns, only those with these returns are truly successful. indya: Thanks Smriti for joining us on the chat. All the very best at your new venture! Any message for your fans before we leave... smritiirani: I can hope and pray that we can bond as one unit, one family and one country! Happy you all a very Raksha Bandhan! indya: Thanks a lot! We loved it! I am sure your fans there feel the same too! indya: Ok that was Smriti Irani on the chat on the new looking indya.com! |
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| shades of insanity: Kiran Karmarkar |
Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman will have Kiran Karmarkar playing a mentally imbalanced man
Upala KBR
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In a casting coup of sorts, Balaji Telefilms has brought two of the biggest stars in their stables together in one big serial. Smriti Iraani (Tulsi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) and Kiran Karmarkar (Om of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii) will play a married couple in Balaji's latest show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman.
Jaggu's no show
As reported by HiTLIST earlier this month, Jackie Shroff was approached to play the lead role opposite Smriti for the show. Says Nivedita Basu, the creative supervisor of the show, "There were three contenders for this role, and Jackie was one of them. Our other two choices were Kiran and Amarr Upadhyay. We have finalised Kiran to play Sudhanshu Jajodia because he is a hardcore performer. That's what the role requires. It's the story of a brilliant but mentally imbalanced person dealing with schizophrenia."
That sounds quite similar to John Nash's character in the Oscar-nominated A Beautiful Mind. "Yes, Kiran's character is somewhat similar to Russell Crowe's in A Beautiful Mind," says Basu.
As for the reasons why Jackie isn't doing the show anymore, Basu adds, "A star doesn't add much value to a television show, especially if it's a performance-oriented role. Kiran is very talented. Also, he is more popular with the masses after his stint as Om."
Dual dilemma
Written by Kamlesh Pandey (who co-wrote Rang De Basanti), Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman is the story of Uma didi (Smriti Iraani) – a girl from a family of mill workers – and her fight against the upper class when she gets married into a rich family.
Basu admits that this is quite a departure from the usual saas-bahu sagas that have become a hallmark of Balaji Telefilms. "The packaging is definitely different and unusual. It's about what Uma stands for after tragedy strikes her family and the mills get shut down. The mills get turned into clubs, but what happens to the families who are jobless? It's about Uma's dilemma — should she stand up for her kin or the Jajodia family that she's married into?"
Adds Bharvi Shah, the creative director of the show, "Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman is the story of the Aptes and the Jajodias. Since it will air on Star Plus on Saturdays and Sundays starting August, viewers will now get to see Smriti Iraani seven days a week at 10.30 pm!"
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| the crusader lives on: Smriti Iraani |
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Tulsi-Payal face-off in Thodi Si Zameen...???
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She has built up a reputation as a meanie in shows such as Kyunki. Jaya 'Payal' Bhattacharya spent many an episode during that show trying to make things difficult for her sworn enemy Smriti 'Tulsi' Iraani. Now she is making a comeback on screen with Smriti; the difference, she will be playing a goody good character. The show: the long talked about Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Asma, which is making its debut on 19 August on Star Plus. Jaya will be playing the role of Pooja who is another close friend of Uma Devi aka Smriti Iraani (Tellychakkar.com had earlier revealed that Rajesh 'Roshesh' Kumar's wife Maddhvi, will be playing buddy to Uma didi in the show. )
Jaya's character Pooja is a married woman whose husband is an alcoholic. He harasses her, takes away her hard earned money to quench his thirst for the bottle. She is a confidante of Smriti who is a middle class girl. "I play a very bubbly and lively character, who will go out of the way to help others in times of crisis, but when it comes to her own problems she is absolutely clueless on a solution. In the serial I am a side artist of a dance troupe, who makes ends meet by dancing in films. Uma didi and I are close friends. Even though I am married to a guy who is absolutely good for nothing, yet I continue with the marriage because it provides social security and besides it was a love marriage. My character projects the attitude of a typical middle class married woman," explains Jaya. What's different this time for Jaya is also the fact that she will be playing a character closer to her age, "It's after long time that I have got to play a character which is normal, realistic and not larger than life. Besides I get to be myself without having to don a grey hair wig. That is the primary reason that I opted to be a part of the show," she says excitedly. | |||
My family my world: Smriti Irani
A compulsive channel surfer once told us that she finds it impossible to switch channels when Tulsi Virani 'lectured' her erring kin in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
"It always feels good to hear Tulsi's sermons", she said. Smriti Iraani who essays the role of Tulsi is equally captivating in person. Never at a loss for words, Smriti seamlessly moves between her roles as actor, daughter, homemaker, mother, politi cian though not necessarily in that order. The 30-something actor is now co-producing her first serial (she has produced plays though) Thodi Si Zameen Tho da Sa Aasmaan with Ekta Kapoor premiering this weekend on Star Plus.
For someone who was once written off by the family astrologer, as "no good except to be married off," Smriti hasn't done too badly for herself "without doing any hanky panky."
A screen role that has etched her name in the history of Indian television, a rising socio-political career and a "successful marriage, three lovely children and my audience which keep me afloat."
In her new serial, she plays Uma, a middle-class girl living in a chawl and interestingly the character will help her break away from the image of the 65-year-old Tulsi.
The serial will be a realistic take at issues at how the shutting of a mill affects people. What are her expectations from the serial?
"The channel has given us a weekend slot and I certainly hope my serial gets more TRPs for that slot than it is getting now. We have some very good actors from theatre, TV and films and I don't want to let them down."
Coming to her family, she says initially it was all about making her parents and then her husband Zubin proud. "But now I want to leave a legacy behind me for my kids and make them proud of me. I have worked hard to be where I am and I can't let people around me down. I can't hang up my boots yet. I don't want to be a Jackof-all-trades but the master too."
Ask her if she's for real and she smiles faintly. We have heard stories labeling her an insecure person, who's not devoid of human frailties, like jealousy? "I'd be jealous only if a gorgeous woman looked at Zubin. I am honest to myself. It's not a mask I wear. I don't think it's possible for anybody to put on an act all the time. Anybody will catch it and I credit the person talking to me, meeting me with that much intelligence."
Surprisingly she still shares a good equation with Ekta considering there are very few actors who have survived Balaji for sixseven years. Maybe that's because Smriti has high regard for Ekta's mother Shobha. She says, "Shobha aunty helped me get a toehold in the industry. And when she heard the script of Thodi Si she said 'Let's do it together'."
The downside of being famous? "When others use it to make their own. I have gone through some really trying times in the past two years in my public life and the most difficult thing has been not to carry it home. I am calmer now. It's neither the trophies for your serials nor the work you do in your constituency that matter as much as it's the unconditional love I share with my husband.
Family or career? "Family, always," says the quintessential prime time bahu! Smriti in the Sky Smriti recently staged her Hindi play Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein at Manchester as part of the annual Sky festival in the UK.
"I represented Star Plus which represented Asia at the festival. I met my fans from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and even Somalia where they show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with subtitles.
Smriti loses weight
Smriti Irani has reasons to rejoice. Seems like her character Tulsi Virani is all set to get some action in life, as she returns to Shantiniketan after almost 20 years of vanvaas, in Star Plus' Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi... And guess what, the lady's looking thinner on the show these days. Is it because of her serialThodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan on Star Plus where she's playing a 27-year-old? Whatever the reason, it's sure working for her!
| Pawan Shankar enters Balaji camp | ||
Pawan Shankar's latest role is a follow up to his brilliant performance in Emmy nominated 'Siddhant' on Star One. Currently starring in Sony's 'Aisa Desh Hai Mera', he is thrilled to be playing a meaningful character once again with this show promising to set new benchmarks for Indian television. The show will air from 19th August on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30 pm. Let us hope this shift in concept from Television Queen Ekta Kapoor sets a new wave for the Indian small screen. | ||
