Actor-turned-politician, Smriti Irani has been an inspiration for millions. She made her acting debut with the TV series, Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal. However, it was her character, ‘Tulsi Irani’, in the popular show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which made her an overnight star. Since then, there has been no looking back for her.
Smriti Irani is currently one of the biggest faces of the BJP as she is India’s youngest Union Cabinet Minister in the Government and the first woman to hold office as Minister for Education and Minister of Textiles. Smriti is currently leading all the headlines as her much-loved show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is finally making a grand return.
Amid the show’s return, Smriti, the pivotal character in the show is reportedly coming back to face the camera. The actress-turned-politician will be making her comeback to acting after a long break, and this time, she’s filming under Z+ security. Though Smriti is one of the biggest names, however, there was a side to her life which is hardly known to the public. Let’s look at Smriti Irani’s struggle story.
Smriti Irani’s first paycheck was Rs. 200
Born into a poverty-stricken family in a government hospital, Smriti has seen financial constraints since a young age. At the age of seven, she, along with her two sisters, was told to pack her bags and leave their home since their mother failed to give a son to the family. Since then, her struggle began. Smriti earned her first paycheck of Rs. 200 by selling cosmetics.
Smriti Irani washed dishes at McDonald’s
During her 20s, when Smriti was trying hard to find a job, she came across a vacancy at McDonald’s. Recalling her urge to meet financial needs and how she landed her first job, Smriti told The Times of India:
“Side mein Hindustan ka pehla McDonald’s hai, uska interview chal raha tha. Toh maine pucha ki kuch agar chal raha hai, I can interview for. Toh unhone kaha ki ek hi position bacha hai vo entry level hai, unhone kaha bartan dhone ka kaam hai. That’s how I got my first job.”
Smriti Irani became a household name with ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’
Smriti worked relentlessly at McDonald’s for five days, and on her off day, she auditioned for acting. She entered the world of modelling and even took part in Miss India 1998. Before making it big in showbiz, Smriti acted in a few music videos. Years later, Smriti got the role of ‘Tulsi Virani’ in the hit show, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and became an overnight star.
Smriti Irani reported to work after her miscarriage
Despite being the leading actress in one of the top-rated shows on Indian television, it wasn’t easy for Smriti. While doing the iconic character of ‘Tulsi Virani’, Smriti also played the role of ‘Sita’ in Ramayan. While doing the double shift, Smriti didn’t realise that she was pregnant and reported to work despite being unwell.
By the evening, she had a miscarriage and was asked to report to work for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi the next day. When she went to shoot, Smriti got to know that a co-actor told the producer that her miscarriage wasn’t real. Speaking to Neelesh Mishra on The Slow Interview in Hindi, Smriti revealed:
“The person didn’t realise that I have returned because I needed money to pay EMIs for my house. The next day, I took all my medical papers to Ekta to tell her it is not a drama. She got uncomfortable and told me not to show the papers. I told her, ‘Foetus bacha nahi, warna woh bhi dikha deti.”
Smriti always wanted to achieve big in her life. She didn’t stop her goals after becoming an acclaimed actress. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003 and became the vice president of the Maharashtra Youth Wing in 2004. Smriti is an MP from the Amethi constituency. She won the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.
Did you know about Smriti Irani’s struggles? Let us know.
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