From model to Tulsi to union minister: The journey of Smriti Irani

Indian Union minister Smriti Irani just didn’t reach the power corridors as an ascribed status. Her journey actually originates from the showbiz arena that shot her to prominence before she finally landed her foot in the politics.

Irani was born in Delhi and is the eldest of three sisters. She has been a part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from childhood as her grandfather was an RSS Swayamsevak.

In 1998, Smriti Irani featured in a music album titled ‘Boliyan’ of the album ‘Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag’ with Mika Singh.

Smriti Irani was one of the finalists of the beauty pageant Miss India 1998, along with Gauri Pradhan Tejwani. Gauri Pradhan is in the extreme left in the photo.

Irani has been a famous lead actress of Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ on Star Plus. She holds the record of winning five consecutive Indian Television Academy Awards for Best Actress (Popular) and four Indian Telly Awards.

Irani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003. While, she had been a part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since her childhood as her grandfather was an RSS swayamsevak and her mother a member of Jana Sangh.