Smriti 'Tulsi' Irani says politics is now her priority

For Smriti Zubin Irani who shot to fame by portraying the character of Tulsi in the popular Hindi soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, acting has now taken a back seat and politics has become her priority.

Known among her fans more as Tulsi than her real name Smriti, the BJP leader, heading the party’s woman's wing, denied that her iconic status in the ‘saas-bahu' TV serial, which ran for a record eight years, contributed to her political success.

"I have a history in organizational work since I joined as an office-bearer of the BJP in 2003. I have been the vice-president of the youth wing of the Maharashtra BJP, secretary of the state, two-time national secretary and a five-time executive member of the central committee. It’s different that this experience was never spoken about," she said.

"One can’t live on past glories. One needs to work toward newer pastures and new goals," Irani said in an interview here.

Refusing to admit that Tulsi contributed to her political popularity, Irani said, "I remember an overseas trip when somebody looked at me and shouted BJP. One cannot say that one's acting capability is reflected in one's work in a political organization too. That does not happen."

She said there were at least one of two actors who had failed miserably in politics.

Asked about her future plans in acting, she said, "There is shortage of time. I have done one Bengali film recently (Amrita) opposite Victor Banerjee. It is nearing completion. I am very choosy about work. But right now, my priority is politics."

"People look upon me as a full-time politician and part-time actor now," she said.