New Parliament turns red carpet for Bollywood actresses 'praising' Women Reservation Bill

The new Indian Parliament building in New Delhi has emerged as an unconventional stage for Bollywood actresses to not only promote their work but also to extol the virtues of the proposed Women Reservation Bill. This unique convergence of entertainment and politics has garnered significant attention stirring both enthusiasm and criticism.

Who

Tamannaah Bhatia and Divya Dutta were the headliners who received exclusive invites to witness the political proceedings within the dazzling new Parliament building.

Clearly, the Parliament has now become the new "it" spot for celebrity sightings, complete with red carpets and camera flashes.

• Bhatia seized the opportunity to share her thoughts on the Women Reservation Bill during her visit.
• She emphasised that this proposed legislation, also known as the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,' could serve as a source of inspiration for ordinary citizens, especially women, to actively engage in politics. 

READ MORE: What all will the Women’s Reservation Bill change once it is a law?

Thank You For Coming, thanked for coming

Adding to the Bollywood presence in the new Parliament building, actor Bhumi Pednekar, celebrated for her versatile roles and commitment to environmental and social causes, visited alongside her fellow actors Dolly Singh, Shibani Bedi, and Shehnaz Gill yesterday. 

During her visit, Pednekar had the opportunity to engage with Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and she took to social media to express her views.

• In her tweet, she highlighted the significance of the Women Reservation Bill, stating that it marked a historic step towards gender equality and women's participation in key decision-making roles. 

Accompanying Pednekar were her co-actors from her latest TIFF-premiering film, Thank You For Coming. The film is a coming-of-age comedy that explores the journey of Kanika Kapoor, portrayed by Pednekar, as a single woman in her 30s seeking love and pleasure.

Photographs from their visit depicted the actors dressed in vibrant saris in the halls of the Parliament building as they posed alongside Thakur.

Sapna makes an appearance

Sapna Choudhary, a popular Indian entertainer, also visited the new Parliament on its inauguration day. She used the occasion to express her gratitude to PM Modi for the proposed 33% reservation bill for women.

In doing so, she shared pictures with various personalities, including Manoj Tiwari, Kangana Ranaut, Esha Gupta, and Babita Phogat, among others.

Priyanka Chaturvedi takes a jab 

However, not everyone viewed this convergence of Bollywood and politics in a positive light. Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi voiced her concerns about movie promotions occurring within the Parliament.

She questioned the appropriateness of mixing entertainment with legislative matters, suggesting that such practices were "krantikari" or rebellious.

Udhayanidhi Stalin's controversial remarks

As this unique convergence unfolded, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and the state's sports minister, stirred controversy with his remarks.

• He alleged that President Droupadi Murmu had not been invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building due to her widowhood and tribal background, raisingd questions about inclusivity and adherence to Sanatan Dharma values.

READ MORE: What is Sanatan Dharma and why is Udhayanidhi Stalin in the dock for his speech?

Bollywood's influence

The new Parliament building has evolved into a star-studded extravaganza, where Bollywood meets politics, and the lines between governance and entertainment blur.

This convergence of glamour and politics has drawn attention, sparking discussions about the appropriate use of this distinguished space for both entertainment and political discourse. 

The future may see more instances of this eye-brow-raising blend, as Bollywood continues to be an influential voice in India's social and political landscape.