Smriti Irani, a prominent figure in Indian politics and a former television actress, recently shared her perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of being a recognizable face in the political arena. In a recent podcast with Bollywood actor and author Soha Ali Khan, Irani candidly discussed her journey in politics and the stereotypes she faced as a recognizable personality.

Irani stated that being a recognizable face was a disadvantage when she entered politics. She explained that there was a common presumption that actors treat politics as an end-of-career option, rather than a serious pursuit from the ground up. She emphasized that many actors are often "parachuted" into politics due to their popularity and then become members of the Rajya Sabha.

Irani, however, took a different path. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2003 as a youth wing member in Maharashtra, demonstrating her commitment to working at the grassroots level. She highlighted that her contemporaries from that time are now in prominent positions, such as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the Minister of Education. Irani expressed her desire to be in the "trenches," working alongside her colleagues and earning their respect, as she was in politics for the long haul.

Irani's political journey involved working her way through grassroots responsibilities, eventually becoming the State Secretary in Maharashtra when Nitin Gadkari was the president. She has worked with five BJP presidents: Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah, J.P. Nadda, and Venkaiah Naidu. In 2004, at the age of 27, she contested her first election.

Smriti Irani's career is marked by a transition from a successful television actress to a prominent political figure. She gained immense popularity for her role as Tulsi Virani in the television show "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi". In 2003, she joined the BJP and quickly rose through the ranks, leveraging her strong communication skills and charisma. She served as the National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha, strengthening her image as a leader capable of mobilizing women and youth.

Irani's political career gained significant momentum in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when she contested against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. Although she lost that election, she returned in 2019 and defeated Gandhi, marking a historic shift in Indian politics. She served as a Union Cabinet Minister, holding key portfolios such as Women and Child Development, Human Resource Development, and Textiles.

Throughout her political career, Irani has faced both praise and criticism. She has been involved in controversies and has been known for her strong defense of her positions. Despite the challenges, Irani has remained a prominent voice in Indian politics, advocating for women's rights, implementing educational reforms, and leading child welfare programs.