Smriti Irani, a household name in the Indian television industry, gained widespread fame for portraying Tulsi Virani in the legendary soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. After a long absence from the small screen, she is reportedly set to make her much-anticipated comeback to television. Irani is rumoured to be joining the cast of Anupamaa, the popular show starring Rupali Ganguly in the lead role.

The show Anupamaa recently took a significant 15-year leap in its storyline, leading to several of its key actors exiting the series. According to sources, Smriti Irani will be joining the show as part of this post-leap phase, which, if confirmed, would mark her return to television after a long 15-year hiatus. Her last appearance on television was in the comedy series Maniben.com, which aired in 2009. Afterwards, she appeared in the Bengali film Amrita, before switching gears to focus on politics.

Irani’s role in Anupamaa is expected to be a special cameo opposite Rupali Ganguly. With her iconic presence, she is sure to add extra star power to an already successful show. The current storyline in Anupamaa features an older version of the lead character, and new actors such as Shivam Khajuria, who plays Anupamaa’s right hand, have joined the cast. Alisha Parveen has also stepped into the role of Aadhya, previously portrayed by Aurra Bhatnagar. However, fans are still waiting for Gaurav Khanna’s character, Anuj to reappear.

Produced by Ranjan Shahi under Director’s Kut Productions, Anupamaa first aired in 2020 and is the Hindi-language adaptation of the Bengali series Sreemoyee. Since its debut, the show has consistently topped TRP charts and remains a fan favourite, airing on Star Plus from Monday to Saturday at 10 PM.

Smriti Irani’s Controversial Political Career  

While Smriti Irani’s return to the world of television is thrilling for her fans, it also raises questions about her political career—especially in light of her stunning defeat in the 2024 general elections. Yes, the former powerhouse politician, who once toppled none other than Rahul Gandhi in the battle for Amethi, seems to be embracing a new chapter of her life—one that sees her returning to her acting roots after what can only be described as an interesting political journey.

Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on Smriti Irani’s career post-2003 when she made the bold leap from household television star to aspiring politician by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Over the next two decades, she steadily climbed the political ladder, holding significant ministerial portfolios, including Human Resource Development and Women and Child Development. She even delivered a historic victory in Amethi, long considered a stronghold of the Congress party, in the 2019 elections, defeating none other than Rahul Gandhi—a feat that seemed to cement her place as a political force to be reckoned with.

Is Smriti Irani’s Political Career Over?

But alas, politics is a fickle game. After the 2024 elections, Irani found herself on the losing side, much like the daily soap villains she used to defeat with her trademark stern glare. It appears the Indian electorate may have decided that Irani’s talents are perhaps better suited to the world of scripted drama than the unpredictable theatre of politics. And so, we find her turning back to the one medium that never abandoned her—television.

It’s almost poetic? After years of navigating the corridors of power, where she delivered speeches, handled ministerial crises, and clashed with opposition leaders, Irani now returns to a place where the scripts are handed to her, the outcomes are known, and the audience’s love is guaranteed. Maybe after dealing with real-life controversies—like the infamous row over her educational qualifications or the uproar following the suicide of Hyderabad University student Rohith Vemula—television, with its familiar cameras and controlled narratives, seems like a welcome retreat.

So, should we now expect Irani’s political career to take the backseat while she basks in the spotlight of prime-time television? After all, her return to the small screen could be seen as the ultimate ‘Plan B’—a safe fallback for someone whose political flame, once bright, appears to be flickering. On television, the plot twists are always orchestrated, the betrayals are scripted, and no one ever files a Right to Information request about your degree!

Jokes aside, one has to wonder how the BJP feels about Irani’s return to television, especially after her high-profile loss in 2024. After all, this was a party that once hailed her as a rising star, as the ‘giant slayer’ of Amethi, who could do no wrong. Has her political capital truly run out? Or does this comeback signify a temporary break from politics before she attempts another comeback there, too? Only time will tell.

But for now, Smriti Irani’s fans will undoubtedly be pleased to see her back in action on their screens, even if it’s in a fictional universe far removed from the political battlegrounds of Uttar Pradesh. Whether this marks the beginning of a new phase in her career or simply a detour, one thing is certain: Smriti Irani knows how to keep her audience entertained, both on and off-screen.

As she steps into this new role, one has to wonder—will she be more successful in facing the drama of Anupamaa than she was in navigating the complexities of Indian politics? Let’s hope her return to television isn’t as short-lived as some of her more controversial political appointments. Welcome back, Smriti Irani—it looks like real life didn’t have enough twists for you after all!