Few Indian personalities have managed to leave a lasting impact across two completely different worlds entertainment and politics the way SMRITI ZUBIN ITANI has. From becoming the most recognisable face of Indian television as Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi one of the most iconic shows in Indian television history to emerging as one of the most powerful women in Indian politics.
Early Life
Born on 23 March 1976 in New Delhi Smriti Irani grew up in a culturally diverse household. Her father Ajay Kumar Malhotra comes from Punjabi Marathi roots while her mother Shibani Bagchi belongs to a Bengali family. She is the eldest of three sisters.
Raised in a middle-class environment. Her grandfather was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and her mother was active with the Jana Sangh laying the foundation for Smriti’s future political alignment.
She studied at Holy Child Auxilium School New Delhi and later enrolled at the School of Open Learning University of Delhi where she completed her first year of B.Com though she did not finish the degree.
Acting Journey
Before fame Smriti Irani’s life was far from glamorous. She worked at India’s first McDonald’s outlet in Mumbai taking up jobs to support herself while chasing bigger dreams. In 1998 she participated in the Femina Miss India pageant and finished as a top-10 finalist which opened doors to modelling and television opportunities.
She also appeared in the popular music video Boliyan from Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag marking her first appearance on screen.
Television breakthrough:The Rise of Tulsi Virani
Smriti Irani made her acting debut in 2000 with TV shows like Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal. However her life changed forever when she was cast as Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus.
Tulsi Virani became more than just a character it became a cultural phenomenon. The show ruled Indian television for nearly eight years crossed 1,000 episodes and dominated TRP charts week after week. Smriti won five consecutive Indian Television Academy Awards and multiple Indian Telly Awards becoming the highest-paid television actress of her time.
Her chemistry with Amar Upadhyay and later Ronit Roy combined with her strong screen presence turned her into a household name not just in India but also in countries like Afghanistan where the show achieved Novel popularity.
Refusing to be typecast Smriti explored a wide range of roles beyond her image as Tulsi Virani. She played Sita in Zee TV’s Ramayan (2002) She later moved into production co-producing and starring in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan (2006) and producing Sony TV’s Virrudh (2007) where she also played the lead role. She went on to produce Mere Apne and appeared in shows like Teen Bahuraaniyaan and Maniben.com. In 2008 she co-hosted the dance reality show Yeh Hai Jalwa. Expanding her work beyond Hindi television she appeared in the Bengali film Amrita (2012). Even after moving away from daily soaps Smriti’s impact on Indian television continued to remain strong and unmatched.
Historic Television Comeback
After nearly 17 years Smriti Irani returned to acting in 2025 reprising her iconic role in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 on Star Plus. Her comeback was met with massive nostalgia and record-breaking attention making her one of the highest-paid actors on Indian television upon return.
Political Journey
While at the peak of her acting career Smriti Irani quietly stepped into politics in 2003 joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a grassroots worker. Her rise in politics was steady and earned through dedication rather than shortcuts. Over the years she served as Vice-President of the Maharashtra BJP Youth Wing. Later became National Secretary of the BJP and went on to lead the party’s women’s wing as President of the BJP Mahila Morcha. In 2011 she entered Parliament as a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat a position she held until 2019. Smriti contested high-profile elections against senior leaders such as Kapil Sibal and Rahul Gandhi. Her biggest political milestone came in 2019 when she defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi a Congress stronghold for more than four decades creating national headlines.
Union Cabinet Roles
Following her electoral success Smriti Irani served in multiple important Union Ministries. She held charge as Minister of Human Resource Development, Minister of Textiles, Minister of Women & Child Development, Minister of Minority Affairs, and also served as Minister of Information & Broadcasting (Independent Charge). Her tenure across these ministries was known for decisive reforms, strong administrative control and a powerful public and media presence establishing her as one of the most visible leaders in the Cabinet.
Personal Life
Smriti Irani’s love story reflects strength and companionship through life’s challenges. During her struggling days in Mumbai she met businessman Zubin Irani and their friendship gradually turned into love. Before marrying Smriti Zubin Irani was earlier married to Mona Irani and the marriage ended in divorce he has a daughter Shanelle from that relationship.
Smriti and Zubin got married in 2001 and he became her strongest support during her successful television career and later her political journey. They have two children together Zohr and Zoish and Smriti is also a devoted stepmother to Shanelle.
She has often spoken about balancing motherhood, career, faith and public life and identifies as a practising Hindu married to a Parsi symbolising personal harmony beyond religious boundaries.
Social Media Presence
Smriti Irani is active on social media and has around 1.6 million followers on Instagram where she shares moments from her work, public life, and personal beliefs.
Smriti Irani is also a published author. She made her literary debut with the novel Lal Salaam a gripping crime thriller centered on a young officer navigating corruption, conflict, and political pressure within the system. The book draws inspiration from the 2010 Dantewada Maoist attack in which 76 CRPF personnel lost their lives and stands as a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of India’s security forces. Lal Salaam was released in 2021 by Westland Books
- Interesting Facts
- An astrologer once predicted she would not succeed a claim she later proved wrong through her achievements.
- Worked as a waitress at McDonald’s in Mumbai during her early struggle years.
- Initially dreamed of becoming a civil servant or journalist.
- Participated in Femina Miss India 1998 but did not reach the final rounds.
- Is fluent in six languages Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, and Bengali.
- Despite playing Tulsi Virani for years, Never watched full episodes of Kyunki
- Won five ITA Awards in a row a rare record
- Is a devoted follower of Lord Ganesha and often wears a Ganesha locket.
- Controversies
- Faced questions in 2014 over inconsistencies in her educational qualifications mentioned in different election affidavits.
- Criticised for her handling of the Rohith Vemula suicide case during her tenure as HRD Minister.
- Her decisions to remove certain university vice-chancellors led to opposition from sections of the academic community.
- Came into conflict with management institutes after bringing IIMs under the ministry’s regulatory framework.
- In 2022 allegations were made by the Congress regarding her daughter’s involvement in a Goa restaurant; Smriti Irani denied the claims and termed them politically motivated announcing legal action.
- Favourites
- Cuisines: Gujarati and Bengali
- Dishes: Traditional fish preparations, tomato chutney, simple home-cooked food
- Colour: Blue
- Actors: Dharmendra, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan
- Actresses: Rekha, Hema Malini
- Politicians: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi
- Sportsperson: MS Dhoni
- Hobbies: Yoga, listening to music, travelling, playing carrom
- Books: Animal Farm, Illusions
- Deity: Lord Ganesha
Filmography
- Television
- Aatish
- Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal
- Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
- Ramayan
- Virrudh
- Teen Bahuraaniyaan
- Maniben.com
- Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 (2025)
- Films
Amrita (Bengali, 2012)
- Music Video
Boliyan Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag
Smriti Zubin Irani’s journey from television’s most loved bahu to a Union Minister and then back to acting again proves that reinvention has no age or limits. Her 2025 comeback as Tulsi Virani reminded the world why she remains truly unforgettable.
