Actresses Bhumi Pednekar and Shehnaaz Gill, accompanied by the cast of ‘Thank You For Coming,’ had the opportunity to visit the New Parliament in New Delhi on September 20. They were joined by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur. During their visit, both actresses shared their thoughts on the Women’s Reservation Bill, highlighting the importance of women’s representation in positions of power.
Bhumi Pednekar on the Women’s Reservation Bill:
Bhumi Pednekar emphasized the significance of women’s representation in governance and decision-making processes. She stated, “As a modern Indian woman, representation is very important for us. When women are in positions of power, there will be a female gaze in debates, policies, and law-making — this is very important. This is an era of women. It is a matter of pride for us that we came here with our cast (film Thank You For Coming).”
Shehnaaz Gill on the Women’s Reservation Bill:
Shehnaaz Gill, reflecting on her visit to the New Parliament, described it as steeped in history and a remarkable opportunity. When asked about her views on the Women’s Reservation Bill, she expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to bring about positive change. Shehnaaz said, “It’s a great step. I am a woman myself, and if we are given rights and equal treatment, it will be a big deal. That way, even parents will support the girl child. I come from a small village where girls are married off so that they get ‘settled’. But after this, if girls and boys are treated equally, a lot of things in the country will change.”
The visit of these prominent actresses to the New Parliament served as an occasion to discuss pressing issues related to gender equality and the representation of women in politics, reinforcing the importance of such initiatives as the Women’s Reservation Bill.