Smriti Irani recalls miscarriage during 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi', being asked to return while bleeding, fired after pregnancy

Smriti Irani has opened up about suffering a miscarriage while shooting for Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi and being asked to return to the set while still bleeding, along with other struggles she faced during her television career. In a television interview, she spoke about the difficult experiences she encountered before and after becoming a mother.

Irani has recently been appointed as a national general secretary in the BJP’s new organisational setup, with responsibility for Uttar Pradesh. The new role brings Irani back into the BJP’s national setup after a period away from the central organisational structure. Her political career has remained closely associated with Uttar Pradesh, particularly Amethi, where she defeated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in 2019 before losing the seat in the 2024 election.

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From McDonald’s job to struggles in television

Before entering politics and becoming a prominent television face, Irani has spoken about the financial and professional difficulties she experienced during her early years. In a television interview some time back, she recalled getting her first job at McDonald’s, where she earned Rs 1,800 a month and was tasked with washing dishes.

“Side mein Hindustan ka pehla McDonald’s hai, uska interview chal raha tha. Toh maine pucha ki kuch agar chal raha hai, I can interview for. Toh unhone kaha ki ek hi position bacha hai, vo entry-level hai, unhone kaha bartan dhone ka kaam hai. That’s how I got my first job,” she said.

Irani has also spoken about the difficult experiences she faced while working in television. During her time on Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi, she said she suffered a miscarriage while working long hours and was asked to return to the set despite still bleeding.

She recalled working for 18 to 20 hours a day and initially not knowing that she was pregnant. After completing her shoot, she said she began bleeding while travelling through Mumbai and eventually went to a clinic in Lokhandwala.

“When I told the production team I had miscarried and was still bleeding, they said, ‘Koi nahi, 2 baje ki shift mein aa jaiye’ (No problem, just be there for the 2 p.m. shift),” Irani said.

At the time, she was working on two television shows, shooting for Ravi Chopra’s Ramayan from 7 a.m. before reporting for Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi at 2 p.m.

She also said she had to show her medical documents to producer Ekta Kapoor after some co-stars allegedly questioned her absence. Irani recalled that the episode took place in 2001, when she needed to continue working to pay her house EMIs.

‘Giant slayer’ after defeating Rahul Gandhi in Amethi

Irani’s political profile rose sharply after her electoral battle with Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, a constituency that had long been regarded as a stronghold of the Gandhi family.

She first challenged Gandhi in Amethi in the 2014 Lok Sabha election but lost. Irani returned to the constituency in 2019 and defeated him in one of the most closely watched contests of that election.

Irani secured 4,68,514 votes, compared with Gandhi’s 4,13,394, winning by 55,120 votes. The victory significantly strengthened her position in national politics and earned her the “giant slayer” tag.

Amethi had been closely associated with the Gandhi family, making Irani’s 2019 victory one of the most notable contests of her political career.

2024 defeat in Amethi

Irani contested Amethi again in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, this time against Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma.

Sharma won the seat with 5,39,228 votes, while Irani received 3,72,032 votes. He defeated her by a margin of 1,67,196 votes.

Following the defeat, Irani was no longer a member of the Lok Sabha and was also dropped from the Union Council of Ministers.

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Return to BJP’s national organisational setup

Irani’s appointment as a national general secretary marks her return to the BJP’s national organisational structure. The party announced a new team of national office-bearers under Nitin Nabin on August 17, with Irani among the eight leaders appointed as national general secretaries.

She has also been assigned responsibility for Uttar Pradesh, linking her new organisational role to a state that has played a major part in her political career. The BJP’s new national team includes several leaders from Uttar Pradesh, with the state receiving significant representation in the reshuffle.