‘मैं 5 घंटे के लिए आऊंगी, 2 घंटा मेकअप लगाऊंगी..’ दीपिका के ‘8 ऑवर शिफ्ट’ डिमांड की स्मृति ईरानी ने उधेड़ी बखिया

When Smriti Irani was asked whether Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift demand was right, she said, ‘I work for a female producer, I cannot harm her for my own benefit. I am not concerned with what other people’s working style is. Television budgets are small. My unit works for 12 hours, so the show is telecasted at night. If I come for 5 hours and apply makeup for 2 hours, it would be unfair. It is a topic related to maternity. It is my decision to work, it is my decision to give birth to a child, so it is a family decision.

Politics along with acting
Smriti Irani has been working for two and a half decades. On the issue of menstrual leave, she said, ‘How difficult it is for a woman to get a job. Menstrual cycle is not my handicap, if there is a problem then the law gives you rights. I have been working for 17 years. I am 49 years old. Haven’t worked less than 13 hours for 32 years. Your misconception is that I am not active in politics. I still call the president every day. The decisions are mine, the family is mine, so why should someone else bear its burden?

Raised social issues through the show
Smriti Irani has been raising issues through the show ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu’. When she was asked what message would you give to women? So she said, ‘I will send messages to both men and women. Don’t men need divine vision? If I am not able to say this as a leader, I am saying it as an actor. Today our youth is talked about a lot. 25-30 percent people have passed the stage of youth, what is their condition? Men are cornered in fake cases. The responsibility of nutrition for children is not only of women but also of men. There are many current issues, we raise them.

Title of most expensive TV actress
Smriti Irani, on her second innings as an actress, said, ‘At that time, there was more conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, hence issues like marital rape were suppressed. At that time people were not listening because I was not in politics then. This innings should become a medium to convey the message and raise burning issues. Speak on issues like body shaming. She is the most expensive actress in the TV world. When she was asked, ‘The most expensive actress charges Rs 14 lakh for an episode, is it true? On this, Smriti Irani says, ‘It has not been stolen from anyone, it is hard-earned. If I have reached here after 25-30 years, then what is bad?