Catching up with Smriti Z Irani, aka Tulsi Virani, the star of the soap Kyunki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, is difficult.

"Please come to Bharatiya Janata Party office at 1.30 pm on Wednesday and you will be able to meet her there. And then you can accompany her to various places in her constituency," Dharmvir Sharma of the BJP promises.

Irani is contesting Delhi's prestigious Chandni Chowk constituency, and she is up against the formidable Kapil Sibal of the Congress.

We arrive at the party's Ajmeri Gate office on time, but the lady is not to be found.

The BJP office at Ajmeri Gate is decorated with posters of Indian television's best-known bahu.

Text: Onkar Singh | Photographs: Jewella C Miranda | Design: Rahil Shaikh