"Ekta competing with me is a complement"- Smriti Irani

From a famous actress to being a producer, Smriti Irani has done it all. She has achieved quite a bit in a very short period of her life. At the moment, she is enjoying the success of 'Mere Apne' after the much praised show 'Viruddh'.

Q.: How did you get "Teen Bahuraniyaan"?
A.: Actually the producer Bimal proposed me the show. Generally in saas-bahu sagas we see deprived women only but he offered me a character that may show some relief and has a way to get rid of some social issues. She is a working woman and each time she visits the in laws' house of her daughter she talks about rights of today's women. It's a well-known fact that whenever women talked about their rights in our society they got deprived of every relation. But Brinda comes with a message that women can not only keep all their relations intact but can also fight for their rights.

Q.: Do you think that your appearance in "Teen Bahuraniyaan" can give some moral support to characters in that serial?
A.: I think that it's an interesting beginning. That show is inspiring in the sense that it talks about the traditions and social values and at the same time it shows that there's nothing wrong with knowing your social rights. If women would understand that truth, then there'll really be some positive changes in the society. We teach our daughters a lot so that they can have a better life in her in- laws' house. We even tell them to take their in laws' house as their own house. And in-laws can treat our daughters as their own daughters.

Q.: In "Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" you were known as Tulsi and in "Teen Bahuraniyaan" you are Brinda. And both the names have the same meaning. Is it just an accident?
A.: (Laughing) See, I'm neither the writer nor the producer of any of these shows. And I haven't chosen these names. I think you can ask the producer or the channel about this.

Q. Do you think that Brinda will also get the same kind of popularity as Tulsi?
A.: None could achieve the popularity that I have achieved in those seven years as Tulsi. First there must be someone to reach that height of popularity. Then I'll try to touch another height yet again.

Q.: Ekta Kapoor is supposed to get Parvati in her "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" to compete with this show which is in the same time slot. Do you think that, this will affect the TRPs of your show?
A.: If I am to think that all this is happening because of my entry into that show then it's a great complement from Ekta. I didn't know that the appearance of a small character in a show can make so much difference to others. As far as TRPs of shows are concerned, you should better ask the channel that.

Q.: "Mere Apne", your show on 9X, has got high TRPs. What would you like to say about that?
A.: I am really happy that after winning 5 awards as a producer for "Viruddh" my present show is also doing better. It's really important for me to make my name as a better producer. Whatever show I've made, I always tried to make sure that people don't get bored with them. I enjoy the way I can tell the traditional story through "Mere Apne". As I'm from North India, I know the taste of people from there very well. As producers my company has earned a better place not only in the audiences' heart but also in the industry.

Q.: How many shows are you going to produce after 'Mere Apne' and 'Viruddh'?
A.: I'll bring five more shows. But I am not going to say anything about them now. I can only assure you that I'll talk to you about these shows very soon.

Q.: Apart from other shows we also have heard of "Kuchh Tum Kaho Kuchh Hum Kahein" and "Maniben Dot Com". Please tell us about them.
A.: These are plays that I have produced. "Kuchh Tum Kaho Kuchh Hum Kahein" was very popular in 2006 and "Maniben Dot Com" is the most successful drama of Gujarat.

Q.: Would you like to produce them as serials?
A.: (Laughing) I prefer to keep the story restricted to that medium for which it has been created. If "Kuchh Tum Kaho Kuchh Hum Kahein" is just a drama of one or two hours then I would like to keep it that way. You can get all these qualities in my serials. I don't believe in stretching stories that may bore the audiences.

Q.: "Sharda Pandey", "Tulsi Virani", "Vasudha" and "Brinda Mausi" – who is the most close to your heart?
A.: Each character reflects parts of my personality. All my characters are fictitious but I love them as they leave some impact in my life.

Q.: You have said that if Balaji calls you back you will join them again. Is there any development on that front? A.: I think it"s better if you ask Balaji this.