Mumbai, Aug 30: Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary actor of Bollywood, has extended a warm invitation to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to join him for tea at his Mumbai residence.
This gracious gesture comes in anticipation of Mamata Banerjee’s upcoming visit to Mumbai, where she, along with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, is expected to attend the third meeting of the Opposition bloc — INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) at the end of this month. The visit aligns with Raksha Bandhan, as she is set to arrive in Mumbai on August 30.
The bond between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Amitabh Bachchan is well-known. In 2022, Amitabh Bachchan graced the inaugural function of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), where Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, passionately advocated for him to be honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in recognition of his profound contributions to Indian cinema.
“While it’s not an official proposal yet, I would like to state that from Bengal, we will elevate the demand to confer Amitabh Bachchan with the prestigious Bharat Ratna award, acknowledging his enduring and remarkable contributions to Indian cinema,” Mamata Banerjee declared during the KIFF.
Jaya Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan’s wife and a prominent actor and Member of Parliament, also played an active role in the political landscape of West Bengal. She actively campaigned for Mamata Banerjee’s political party, the Trinamool Congress, during the lead-up to the 2021 Assembly elections in the state.
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The third meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is slated to span two days, commencing on August 31 and concluding on September 1, in Mumbai. Approximately 26 to 27 political parties are expected to participate in this significant gathering of the Opposition alliance.
On the professional front, Amitabh Bachchan is gearing up for his next cinematic venture, the pan-India film titled “Kalki 2898 AD,” in which he will share the screen with acclaimed actors Deepika Padukone and Prabhas. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on January 12, 2024.
Additionally, Amitabh Bachchan is set to appear in director Ribhu Dasgupta’s forthcoming courtroom drama film, “Section 84,” which also features Diana Penty, Nimrat Kaur, and Abhishek Banerjee in pivotal roles. “Section 84” marks the third collaboration between Amitabh Bachchan and Ribhu Dasgupta, following their work on a TV mini-series titled “Yudh” in 2014 and the thriller film “Te3n” in 2015.
As these two distinguished personalities prepare to meet over tea during Mamata Banerjee’s Mumbai visit, their camaraderie reflects the intersection of Indian cinema and politics, demonstrating the enduring bonds that link diverse segments of society. This meeting also highlights the potential for unity and collaboration among political parties at a time when opposition alliances are gaining prominence in India’s political landscape.
