Today, Smriti Irani is known as a prominent figure in Indian politics. But long before she stepped into politics, she was a young woman from a traditional family with dreams that took her life in a surprising direction. On Navika Kumar's podcast, the actor-turned-politician recalled her early years and the defining moment that pushed her into a completely new direction.

Smriti Irani on building her own identity

Growing up as Smriti Malhotra, she lived in a household where career choices for women were expected to remain conventional. She recalled an incident that made her realise how little respect she felt she was recieving in the family business. While discussing the possibility of buying an agency in Mumbai's Thane area, a remark about her role in the buisness let her deeply offended. "Main inke saath kaam karungi, toh meri koi izzat nahi hai", she wondered.