Speaking at the Indian Women's Press Corps event on Friday yesteryear actress and now Samajwadi Party’s MP Jaya Bachchan said that Women’s Reservation Bill is needed for the women of Indian Film industry.
According to Jaya, the bill is necessary because Bollywood is dominated by males and women are seldom provided with good roles after they pass certain age, which is unfair.
She thinks after an actress in the industry passes certain age film offers stars to dwindle leaving her with no option but either to go with the flow or stop working.
Jaya also said that media today is insensitive towards women. “We talk of the Women's Bill, but when it comes to reporting about women, the media is insensitive. If you have the liberty to malign, you should have the courage to refute in the same manner. This kind of reporting is now going beyond all limits of decency,” said the actress.
Marriage not necessary for today’s women
At the press meet on Friday Jaya also revealed her opinions about the institution of marriage and its importance for today’s women.
Interestingly, Jaya, who is herself married to Amitabh Bachchan, does not think marriage is important for today’s successful and highly independent women.
"I don't think it is necessary for women to marry and have children," said Jaya.
On her getting married to the superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya said it was because they were in love and she would not have married if it was not for love.
"Had I not been in love, I would not have married," revealed the yesteryear actress, who got married in 1973 and left films to look after her family.
“We had to get married because we wanted to go for a holiday and my in-laws said that we must get married before that,” quipped Jaya.
Jaya’s favorite superstar of Bollywood
When asked about her favorite Bollywood superstar Jaya said that she does like this ‘superstar’ tag but if she has to choose then she will undoubtedly pick veteran actor Dilip Kumar.
"I don't believe in super stars. Anyway I think there are no super stars now. Dilip Kumar was the last superstar," she said.