I don't miss TV: Smriti Irani

Former actress and politician Smriti Irani gets candid in a chat with Hyderabad Times on her visit to the city.
You’ve successfully transformed from an actor to a politician. Don’t you miss the arclights? I’m still in front of the camera, fighting on TV all the time (laughs). Well, there are people who ask me to come back on television, but I’m fully dedicated to politics now.The only thing I had planned in life was to be a journalist and as a 19-year-old, I had applied to a news channel but my application was rejected. I thank god it was rejected because if life had to go on as I had planned, I wouldn’t have achieved so much today. I’m flattered that as an actor there are many people who still come to me with projects, in different languages in fact. I’ve never rejected roles if I liked them, but today I need to pay attention to my political responsibilities. That’s my priority right now.
Was it difficult to adjust to the world of politics? I was born in a family of activists. My grandfather was a swyamsevak and my mother a volunteer of a party. Though I won’t claim to belong to a political family, but yes, a sense of social responsibility was inculcated in me since childhood and that promoted me to work for the country. I remember my mother asking me, ‘Why do you want to join politics? You can work with NGOs and other organisations and still do your duty towards the country.’ Though I could have done just that, it was a conscious decision to enter politics. There’s a presumption that one becomes a politician when his/her showbiz career is over. But I joined politics formally when my career was at its peak. So, I knew what I was getting into and I’m happy with my decision.
You are a mother of two, how do you manage such a busy schedule? You know, when I was working on my TV show, I was defined by the saree and jewellery I wore. But for the past 10 years, I haven’t changed my jewellery, because I have been running behind my kids (laughs). I remember, when I was pregnant, I used to ask my mother, ‘Maa, I’ll be having a baby soon. How will I juggle work and family life?’ and she said, ‘If I can work when you were born, why can’t you?’ My husband Zubin too had the same line of thought. He would say, ‘If I haven’t given up my job after having kids, why should you?’ Irrespective of what job profile you hold, it all boils down to the support you get from your near and dear ones. And that’s why I am where I am today.
Your are still remembered as Tulsi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. How do people react when they meet you today? I remember, the other day, a gentleman came up to me and asked me to speak to his wife so that she can embody the principles of Tulsi. I just turned around and told him that for this to happen, he needs to be a husband like Mihir (laughs). It is fairly easy to live a scripted life where everything is perfect — right from the saree to the jooda. But it’s tough to lead such a life in reality. So, one needs to live life the way they want to.
Do you see your kids joining politics someday? Well, I’ll give my kids the best education I can and would want them to choose their own career. And if they do choose politics, it would be their choice, not mine.
What’s your take on Arvind Kejriwal, the new CM of Delhi? The other day, I was on a talk show with Mr Kejriwal and I asked him something politely to which he did not reply. I said, ‘Development does not happen when you cut electricity connections (as a political gimmick), but it happens when every home gets electricity’. I think leadership qualities are not decided on proclamations. A government is judged by what it delivers and not what it promises.