When Smriti Irani Broke Menstrual Hygiene Taboo With An Ad; ‘Those Five Days…’

Former actress and now a politician, Smriti Irani keeps hitting the headlines for her blunt digs at the opposition. Before making it big in the politics, the lady won millions of hearts with her portrayal of ‘Tulsi Virani’ in popular daily soap ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’.

Till today, she is remembered for her role. Though Smriti’s acting journey is known to majority, a very few have knowledge about her modelling days. The Union minister started off as a model.

Recently, Smriti walked down the memory lane and shared a 25-year-old black-and-white video, which was first of its kind at that time. The clip shows her breaking the stereotypes surrounding menstruation with her ‘Whisper’ ad. She is heard talking about how natural menstruation is in the old commercial.

The video begins with Minister for Women and Child Development saying, “Those five days like what. Arrey I have my periods yaar. It is not a disease. Everyone woman has it. Me, my mom, you, millions of other Indian women. There are things that can help us now… like sanitary pads like whisper. You know periods are god’s way of telling us we are older, wiser and have ability to carry life. So what is this those five days about huh?”

Alongside the clip, Smriti wrote, “When your past ‘whispers’. 25 years ago, my first ad ever for a big company . However, the subject was not a fancy one. In fact, it was a product that many were averse to taking up. A sanitary pad advertisement ensured the death of a glamour based career for the model involved. Eager to start my stint in front of the camera I said yes ! After all why should a conversation about menstrual hygiene be taboo. Since then there has been ‘no looking back’ #throwbackthursday.”