Following her defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election for the Amethi constituency, former Union Cabinet minister Smriti Irani openly discussed her immediate decision to seek work in the entertainment industry. Irani, who lost the seat to Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma, described the period as a "liberating" experience that brought her back to television.
Proactive Job Search Post-Election
Instead of waiting for offers, Irani proactively reached out to her contacts in the media and entertainment sector. "I picked up my phone and asked for work in media and entertainment. I said, 'I don't have a job, can you please give me some work?'" Irani recounted. She specifically mentioned contacting Uday Shankar, Vice Chairman of JioHotstar, who, she noted, had been a reason for her losing her job previously but now facilitated her return.
Shankar expressed surprise at her decision to return to acting after serving as a Cabinet minister. Irani, however, asserted her need for employment, stating, "I am in need of a job and I don't think there is any harm in reintroducing myself to the world of entertainment." Her return to sets also surprised former colleagues, who reportedly commented on her return to daily wage work, which Irani found part of the liberating experience.
Return to Television and Career Trajectory
Smriti Irani made her return to television in July 2025, reprising her iconic role as Tulsi Virani in the second season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, alongside Amar Upadhyay as Mihir Virani.
Irani's career began with the Miss India pageant in 1998, followed by a successful stint in modeling and television. Her breakout role as Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2000 made her a household name across India.
She transitioned into politics in 2003, joining the BJP. After contesting her first Lok Sabha election in 2004, she rose to prominence within the party. Notably, she contested against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in 2014, losing that election, but securing a victory against him in the same constituency in 2019. During her tenure in the Narendra Modi government, she held significant portfolios including Human Resource Development, Textiles, Women and Child Development, and Information and Broadcasting.
Despite her recent electoral defeat, Irani remains active in politics, serving as the BJP's National General Secretary and contributing to the party's strategic operations in Uttar Pradesh.