I was proud to be in new Parliament, says Lakshmi Manchu

Popular actress Lakshmi Manchu was the only Telugu actress to be part of the celebrities' delegation to attend the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha.” It was proud a moment,” says the actress. She also talked about smacking a guy for moving between her and cameras at a film event. She along with Tamannaah Bhatia, Khushboo Sundar, and Divya Dutta were there to extol the virtues of the Women's Reservation Bill.

Q: You were the only Telugu actress among other divas at the new Parliament? It was a unique convergence of entertainment and politics.
A: It was a proud moment for me to represent the Telugu film industry in the actors’ delegation attending proceedings in the new Parliament. I wish more Telugu actors had joined. Nonetheless, we all were seated in the Rajya Sabha and witnessed the passage of the historic Women's Reservation Bill. It was a proud moment for every woman in our country. Of course, it was a unique mix of celebrities and politics.  

Q: You had been to both old and new Parliament? Any marked difference?
A: I was the only fortunate actress in the group to have visited both the Old and New Parliament. The new premises boasts of state-of-the-art audio-video facilities besides elegant art and architecture befitting its status. It had lavish and expansive seating arrangements for parliamentarians and its unique structure is fascinating.

Q: We learned that you skipped the lunch hosted by Central Minister Anurag Thakur.
A: Yes. I told Anurag that I had some urgent work and savored varied delicacies at the famed Khan Market in Delhi. I relished butter chicken a lot. I was introduced to Khan Market by Chandra Aunty, who was an IAS officer. I am visiting Delhi after many years and I checked out a few favoured spots. Last time, I went to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 Q: Are you happy with the new policies of the Prime Minister?
A: PM Modi is doing a wonderful job and resolving all key issues in his illustrious tenure. He has solved the Ram Temple row and supported the historic launch of Chandrayan 3 and now the Women's Reservation Bill l, which was long overdue. He is a visionary and a great leader.

Q: You were also in the news for slapping a man at a film event?
A: It would have been different if I had smacked him, but I just tapped him from behind. He didn’t have the basic etiquette not to walk between an anchor and cameras and that too on the red carpet. It was like insulting such a big event, so I asked the event manager not to cut out my actions and harsh words as it would serve as a lesson to others.

Q: You are looking forward to your film 'Agni Nachatram?
A: I am keenly looking forward to this cop story which is loaded with high-end action and I got specially trained to get my kicks and punches right.