Smriti’s mercy killing controversy continues

Despite having suffered a severe back injury, the actor Smrti Irani is still dogged by protests against euthanasia.

Protesters demonstrated outside Balaji House in Andheri recently, their wrath directed at the mercy killing conducted by Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The protesters felt the production house was setting a bad example by showing people the ‘easy way out’.

While this was happening in Mumbai, Smriti Irani, who essays the role of Tulsi and is at the centre of the controversy, was busy shooting in the Ganges at Haridwar. Having stood in the swirling currents for five hours, has resulted in a severe back injury and has the actor confined to a wheelchair.

“I’m merely an actor playing a role. Balaji believed in the melodramatic climax and the channel endorsed it, so I had no hand in determining the storyline. Still, it is the democratic right of all individuals to protest. So it’s ok for people to voice their opinions,” clarified Smriti when contacted.

Confined to bed rest, the actor is deeply concerned about her husband’s grandmother who was admitted to hospital after a stroke. “That’s how I am. I could never consider anything close to mercy killing,” says Smriti ardently.

“I want to go back but I have to wait for permission from the unit. I guess they want to finish the shoot as they have to complete their schedule. I shot immediately after delivering both my children which resulted in my weak back which played up yesterday.”

Smriti is however quite at ease with her feigned on-screen death to occur soon. “It’s  part of Balaji’s strategy to keep the interest in the show going,” quips Smriti adding mischievously, “I guess I will be asked to give one close up shot before I die in real life. I’m sure no one is going to protest about that!”