Smriti: Must audition at least once at ZEE’s Worli studio

Union Minister Smriti Irani has fond memories of the ZEE Group. Acknowledging ZEE TV’s constructive contribution in her career as a television actress, Irani said that the media group has helped several people make their dreams come true.

“Any newcomer who goes to Bombay is told that you must go to ZEE’s Worli studio at least once to try your luck. If you want to cement your space in the media fraternity, you must audition at least once in the ZEE studio. We had the strength to dream and ZEE helped us achieve that dream,” Irani told a packed audience on Sunday.

The Union Minister was speaking at Essel Group’s 90-year celebration event held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium complex on Sunday.

Interestingly, Irani was a stringer with ZEE TV 23 years ago, but later became an important actor featuring in several successful television serials on the channel.

“I was like any other reporter who used to send news to ZEE TV. This group has been really lucky for me. It has shown several programmes on television that transformed people’s lives in terms of entertainment. ZEE Antakshari made people listen to music, Hum Paanch made people laugh and Teen Bahuraaniyan made people cry ,” said Irani.

In 2001, Irani played the epic character Sita in ZEE TV’s Ramayan. She also acted in a supporting role in ZEE TV’s Teen Bahuraaniyaan. And in 2008, she also produced a show on ZEE TV, Waaris, which ended in 2009.