In a delightful turn of events during a recent Rajya Sabha session, veteran actress and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan humorously introduced herself as ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan,’ prompting hearty laughter from Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and other members present. This playful moment stood out, especially given her previous discomfort with being addressed by her husband’s name, showcasing both her humorous side and her stance on women’s identity.
The incident occurred during a parliamentary session when Jaya Bachchan, a prominent figure in both Indian cinema and politics, introduced herself using her husband Amitabh Bachchan’s name. This unexpected self-introduction elicited laughter from Chairman Dhankhar, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, Aam Aadmi Party’s Raghav Chadha, and several other MPs.
Following her introduction, Bachchan quipped, “Did you get a lunch break today? No? This is why you’re taking Jairam Ji’s name repeatedly. You cannot digest your food without taking his name.” In response, Dhankhar, clearly enjoying the light-hearted exchange, replied, “I’ll tell you on a light-hearted note. I did not take a lunch break today but I had lunch with Jairam Ji,” which further amused the house. He added with a smile, “I also want to tell you that this might be the first time that I am both yours and Amitabh Ji’s fan.”
This amusing exchange comes shortly after Bachchan had expressed her displeasure at being addressed as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan” by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh. On July 29, she had firmly stated, “Sir, only Jaya Bachchan would have sufficed,” highlighting her concern about women being identified solely by their husbands’ names. During that session, she emphasized, “This is something new, that women will be recognized by the name of their husbands like they have no existence or achievements of their own.”
Jaya Bachchan, who married Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan on June 3, 1973, has always been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and various social issues. The couple, celebrated for their on-screen chemistry, has acted together in several iconic films, including ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Mili’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Silsila’, and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’. They have two children, Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan, both of whom have made their own marks in their respective fields.
Since her entry into politics in 2004, Jaya Bachchan has been an influential voice in the Rajya Sabha, advocating for numerous social causes and championing the rights of women. Her recent playful yet poignant gesture in the Rajya Sabha underscores her continuous effort to highlight and address significant issues, while also showcasing her ability to engage in light-hearted banter.
