Smriti Irani reveals that Ekta Kapoor signed her despite the production team found her unfit for TV
Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Irani made the most of their time together at the ITA Awards event. Smriti said she will always be grateful to Television as it gave her a platform to enter Indian political space. Ekta Kapoor has also shared a picture with Smriti Irani on social media.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani says producer Ekta Kapoor chose her to lead the cast of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi even though her team had rejected her as “not fit” for television.
Smriti spoke at the 17th Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards where she was conferred the ITA Pride of Indian Television award on Sunday night.
“I have been associated with television for over 20 years now. Television gave me a platform to enter Indian political space and I will be forever grateful for that. Also, Ekta Kapoor spotted me among the many young girls who had come for audition and selected me despite her team having rejected me as not fit for TV.
“In 2007, when I was the anchor at the ITA Awards, I had invited the then Information and Broadcasting Minister on stage. So life has come a full circle for me to be invited on this stage as the serving Information and Broadcasting Minister.”
Smriti Irani, a former Miss India contestant, had risen to popularity as Tulsi Virani, the protagonist of the “saas-bahu” show which was launched at the start of the millennium and had a long run of over 1,800 episodes.
Ekta and Smriti, who continue to remain friends, made the most of their time together at the ITA Awards event. Ekta even clicked a selfie with her and posted it on social media and wrote,”How amazing is this woman #proudsistaaa”.
At the gala, Ekta, who was named the ITA Sterling Icon, said, “There is one episode relating to Smriti Irani which I have to narrate. I used to call my nanny ‘Amma’ and she was so hooked to Smriti’s character that every night, she would narrate the happenings from the show to me. So once I took her on the sets to meet Smriti and Smriti bowed down and touched her feet.
“That image of Smriti will remain with me forever.”
Ekta’s father and veteran actor Jeetendra said: “My memories of Smriti from her ‘Kyunki…’ days are still so fresh. Her dedication to her craft was exemplary and it was evident from her young days that she was cut for bigger things.”
Smriti spoke at the 17th Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards where she was conferred the ITA Pride of Indian Television award on Sunday night.
“I have been associated with television for over 20 years now. Television gave me a platform to enter Indian political space and I will be forever grateful for that. Also, Ekta Kapoor spotted me among the many young girls who had come for audition and selected me despite her team having rejected me as not fit for TV.
“In 2007, when I was the anchor at the ITA Awards, I had invited the then Information and Broadcasting Minister on stage. So life has come a full circle for me to be invited on this stage as the serving Information and Broadcasting Minister.”
Smriti Irani, a former Miss India contestant, had risen to popularity as Tulsi Virani, the protagonist of the “saas-bahu” show which was launched at the start of the millennium and had a long run of over 1,800 episodes.
Ekta and Smriti, who continue to remain friends, made the most of their time together at the ITA Awards event. Ekta even clicked a selfie with her and posted it on social media and wrote,”How amazing is this woman #proudsistaaa”.
At the gala, Ekta, who was named the ITA Sterling Icon, said, “There is one episode relating to Smriti Irani which I have to narrate. I used to call my nanny ‘Amma’ and she was so hooked to Smriti’s character that every night, she would narrate the happenings from the show to me. So once I took her on the sets to meet Smriti and Smriti bowed down and touched her feet.
“That image of Smriti will remain with me forever.”
Ekta’s father and veteran actor Jeetendra said: “My memories of Smriti from her ‘Kyunki…’ days are still so fresh. Her dedication to her craft was exemplary and it was evident from her young days that she was cut for bigger things.”
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