Shabana Azmi to speak in the House Of Lords

8 Mar 2017

When it comes to bringing honour to the Indian film industry and the country,ShabanaAzmiis next to none. It comes as a surprise to know she would be addressing the House Of Lords of the British Parliament next week. But then, maybe it isnt so much of a surprise becauseShabanahas been there, done it before. Says the redoubtable lucid and empowered actress, What can I say? Im honoured to be speaking at the House Of Lords in the UK parliament on 9 March. The topic will be Identity and Integration. My pitch would be to argue that genders, communities, cultures and nations can be equal and yet separate. When I remind my favourite actress that she has spoken in the British Parliament before, she recalls with much pleasure, Of course, Ive been there before. I got my Gandhi International PeacePrizeat the House Of Lords and I was honoured to receive theprizefrom one of my favourite actresses Vanessa Redgrave, who has constantly addressed the issues of social cultural and gender empowerment that concern me.