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Moving on with life

Small screen's favourite `bahu' is ready to switch over to her next phase of life. Bindu Shajan Perappadan finds out the future plans of Smriti Irani

Small screen's favourite `bahu' is ready to switch over to her next phase of life. Bindu Shajan Perappadan finds out the future plans of Smriti Irani...

What we know about her is that she was this young wannabe who participated in the Miss India pageant, married her childhood sweet heart and had children, and then went on to become the small screen `bahu' that the country fell head over heels in love with. Today, Smriti Irani -- having lost an election and shed several extra kilos -- by her own admission is ready to zoom over to the next phase of life.

"You can't wait for someone to come, hold you hand and teach or tell you what you have to do with life. You have to get up and get going," says Smriti, who was in the Capital recently.

Sitting pretty in a white and maroon `kanchipuram' sari and her trade mark `spilling onto the forehead sindoor', what you instantly admire about Smriti is the fact that she reminds you of a woman who loves life and is ready and eager to make something of it.

Outspoken, quick-witted and unabashedly in love with her husband, Smriti speaking about her inning in the political arena says: "I entered public life not thinking that I want to change the entire country in one go. I selected this field because I was sure that it was time for me to do something more than just indulge in personal development."

"There comes a time in everyone's life when you know in your heart and soul that it is time that you ventured out and did something for the larger good and I have just listened and paid heed to that voice. I am not extraordinary, I am a citizen of this country who decided not to wait for politicians to improve my lot, but decided that if I wanted things to change around me, I need to be a part of that process. I can't sit around and be the beneficiary of various policies and schemes handed out to me," she adds.

This mother of two and a successful television star with an active social consciousness claims to have had an average, very normal childhood, growing up as one of three sisters in Delhi.

"My mother is a Bengali and is related to Tripti Mitra, well-known actress of yesteryears while my father had a courier business. My interest in acting was kindled after I started acting in small plays and that was also when the realisation of self and individuality dawned. For me it was like my coming of age," says Smriti.

This determined young girl then proceeded to opt out of full-time college and took a correspondence course for graduation and two years later, at the age of eighteen, Smriti declared to her family her desire to go looking for work in Mumbai.

The rest though history, saw this young Delhi girl entering Miss India contest in 1998 and coming to the city of dreams to participate in the finals.

"I remember my father was surprised when I told him about Miss India but he lend me Rs. 2 lakh for my contest expense and I put my heart and soul into making it to the top three at least. But as things turned out, my best got me only to being among the final five contestants. Desperate to prove myself and to return the money I borrowed, I took to serving burgers and cleaning tables at McDonalds. And it was during that time that I made it a point to try my luck at getting a job in acting. And eventually I was offered a role in an advertisement and then `Flimi Batein', `Bakeman's Oh La La' happened after which came the role that bailed me out, practically overnight; I became successful as Tulsi," she says.

Smriti is now coming to entertain the public in a Hindi-play and her company Catch-22 entertainment is also ready with a new project. "But I will not speak about it till things are finalised and the project to ready to hit the public domain. After that I will give you all the details that there are too it," she assures.

Much screen success and appreciation later, this lovable `bahu' still has a dream that she says she is working on. "I want the women of the country to be aware of their power and their rights. I don't agree with the fact that women today need to feel second to anyone. They can built a strong nation and if you look around women in many professional areas are outdoing men," she points out, adding that she feels duty bound to respond to her social calling and thank the people for their love and support.

And for those who want to know whether she managed to return her father's initial loan, Smriti did so within one year and ever since claims to be doing her father and family proud.

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