<p>Actress-politician Smriti Irani has turned down a role in Ekta Kapoor's promotional series "Ek Thi Naayika", as she is reluctant to portray a courtesan.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A Bharatiya Janata Party MP, Smriti prefers to be cautious about her professional decisions. When Ekta, who gave Smriti a huge platform with hit show "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" over a decade ago, asked the actress to play a nautch girl in an episode of "Ek Thi Naayika", Smriti asked for a change. Ekta obliged, and asked Sakshi Tanwar to play the part instead.<br /><br />Smriti will now feature in another story in the same show.<br /><br />Confirming the same, Tanuj Garg, CEO Balaji Telefilms, said: "Yes, it's true. Smriti wasn't comfortable playing a nautch girl in the series. So now the story will be shot with Sakshi Tanwar."<br /><br />Smriti was caught in controversy sometime back when a politician mocked at her as a former dancer who had entered politics only some years ago.<br /><br />"A few months ago due to a politician’s comments on Smriti’s acting career, she was involved in a controversy that got blown out of proportion. It seems to have impacted the way she does television now. Smriti has agreed to do a two-episode story in 'Ek Thi Naayika' for Ekta," said a source.<br /><br />The TV series is a prelude to Ekta and Vishal Bhardwaj’s co-production "Ek Thi Daayan". It is a unique marketing innovation to promote a movie via a TV series. Eight female actors will be seen in the show for two episodes each, and it will air on Life OK starting mid-March.</p>
<p>Actress-politician Smriti Irani has turned down a role in Ekta Kapoor's promotional series "Ek Thi Naayika", as she is reluctant to portray a courtesan.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A Bharatiya Janata Party MP, Smriti prefers to be cautious about her professional decisions. When Ekta, who gave Smriti a huge platform with hit show "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" over a decade ago, asked the actress to play a nautch girl in an episode of "Ek Thi Naayika", Smriti asked for a change. Ekta obliged, and asked Sakshi Tanwar to play the part instead.<br /><br />Smriti will now feature in another story in the same show.<br /><br />Confirming the same, Tanuj Garg, CEO Balaji Telefilms, said: "Yes, it's true. Smriti wasn't comfortable playing a nautch girl in the series. So now the story will be shot with Sakshi Tanwar."<br /><br />Smriti was caught in controversy sometime back when a politician mocked at her as a former dancer who had entered politics only some years ago.<br /><br />"A few months ago due to a politician’s comments on Smriti’s acting career, she was involved in a controversy that got blown out of proportion. It seems to have impacted the way she does television now. Smriti has agreed to do a two-episode story in 'Ek Thi Naayika' for Ekta," said a source.<br /><br />The TV series is a prelude to Ekta and Vishal Bhardwaj’s co-production "Ek Thi Daayan". It is a unique marketing innovation to promote a movie via a TV series. Eight female actors will be seen in the show for two episodes each, and it will air on Life OK starting mid-March.</p>