Smriti Irani takes time out from politics for her new film

Smriti Irani may be busy politicking rather than acting nowadays but writer-director Umesh Shukla has managed to convince her to don the greasepaint yet again. The Bharatiya Janata Party politician features in a stellar role in the OMG: Oh My God! director's next film starring Abhishek Bachchan, Asin and Rishi Kapoor. The project goes on the floors next month.

Smriti Irani

Says Umesh, "She is extremely busy with her party work but I was keen that she act in the film. Initially she was reluctant but later agreed. Smriti will essay a mother's role in the film."

Writer-director Umesh Shukla

The filmmaker and Smriti go back a long way. "She has done theatre and my roots are in theatre. Though I have not done any play with her, theatre folk have this special bonding and are always there for each other."

Umesh was recently in Dubai for a location hunt for the film that will be largely shot abroad as well as in India. Looking at Smriti's busy diary and the impeding election, her scenes are likely to be shot here and her dates will be accordingly adjusted.

Best remembered as Tulsi from the soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu, Smriti has earlier featured in the Hindi film Maalik Ek as well as in a Telugu film Jai Bolo Telangana. Umesh's film will be her first major role in Bollywood. u00a0