Mumbai is known for many things. Being the financial capital, cultural melting point of entirety of India, its port, its coast, etc.
But the thing it is most known for is Bollywood.
Bollywood is India's largest movie and music industry, almost every household watches its movies, and it has a huge cultural impact on the country. Like normalising stalking.
Despite producing most films in the world, the qualities of the major hits are mostly subpar and cringe. Only some films like Om Shanti Om would come out from time to time which will forever remain evergreen.
(Om Shanti Om hasn't come out yet.)
Bollywood is dominated by only romance, romance and romance. It is disrespectful for Hollywood to be the one to create movies like 'The Man who knew Infinity' instead of Bollywood.
And, the music industry is forever suppressed in a supporting role for the movies.
The biggest problem with Bollywood is monopoly. Few producers, directors, production, music companies can bury any talent.
While Arijit Singh was too talented to be buried by even Salman Khan, and had support from the music companies, not everyone was lucky.
Another problem with the industry is that government doesn't view it as a proper industry. They don't want to involve themselves with it, but are quick to plunge into cancel culture.
There are many more problems, which only an insider can understand the best.
That's why Shreya approached Aishwarya Rai.
Despite being talented and beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful actress ever, she was subjected to abuse by Salman, and nothing could be done against him.
Shreya has been in contact with Aishwarya since 1994 when she became Miss World. She wanted Aishwarya to be the face of the party. It is an undeniable fact that every single person in the country pays attention to her. She can present things that a normal person can't without fearing plunging of popularity.
Child marriage is still legal in India, along with many discriminatory practices like Tripple Talaq, marital rape, inheritance, and such things.
So, she is the best choice for being the MP from Mumbai, which is far more liberal than any other Indian city.
Moreover, she is the best to popularise a separate music industry, along with reforming the censor board, which doesn't seem to have any problem when stalking and harassing is showed as romantic. It shows what is the thinking of those Sanskari babus.
For manga and anime industry to grow, the censor board really needs to fire all those people in there and put some actual sensible, younger people.
They will even censor gore scenes like in Attack on Titan.
Just after the party was formed, Shreya started persuading her to join the party and contest from Mumbai North West, where bollywood is situated.
Actors and actresses generally don't get involved in politics until they near the end of their careers. And Aishwarya is in her peak years, despite harassment from Salman.
Entering politics now will mean her end of acting career effectively.
"You know all that, right? Then why do you insist on having me join your party? Maybe when I am 50 or something, but why now?"
"Because you are at your peak. And I want you to reform the entertainment industry, and you are the only one with that reach."
"Why not someone like Shah Rukh then? Or Hema Malini?"
"Well... Let's not really talk about Hema Malini. I know her, and I know that she wouldn't take her job seriously after winning the election. And Shah Rukh grew up in an era where the industry was opening up. He is a good man, but I don't want controversies that come with him.
It's not like I haven't talked to him. I did suggest him to raise voice against stuff like child marriage and triple talaq. But he didn't want to make any political statement, and we haven't really talked since then.
Look, it's not like your acting career will end. Even if you disagree joining the party, I am going to make you the ambassador of Maharashtra tourism and the women clothing cooperatives that I will help in establishing.
While I am not sure if we will win in Karnataka, I am absolutely sure that we are going to win Maharashtra.
If you join the party, that doesn't mean that you can't appear in movies. One of my party member is a survivor from Kashmiri Hindu genocide. He came to Mumbai to make a movie about his life, but nobody was interested in risking to make a movie that will most likely not make it past censor board.
I am currently helping the guy, and if you would like, I can get you casted, no. I would be grateful if you do the movie.
Being a member of political party isn't a formal job.
And you have full freedom to speak your mind. If you don't want to say something. Don't.
I just want you to atleast help me in reforming our backward entertainment industry. Help in giving more rights to the background workers, stopping the abuse and exploitation, and breaking the monopolies of immature turds who benefitted from opening of the industry and has now blocked the younger ones from gaining power."
"That's so much like a politician will say."
"Well, I am a politician. You don't need to if you don't want to. I just want your help in the things I just mentioned.
It's just that if you are in the parliament, things will become much easier. You are an insider. You know the industry best. I only have superficial knowledge.
We have to take a stand ourselves and get more involved, right?"
"...I will think about it."
"And anyway, did you like Spiderman?"
"Everything was good, but the heroine..."
"Yeah..."
"What of it?"
"Well, I may have invested some money in Marvel, and may have gained the rights for the storyline of one very important character. The most important female character. According to me. No stereotypical Hollywood sexual scenes, no damsel in distress, and a good character instead of just a good 'female' character.
A good superhero, with a good storyline with some tweaks from me to suit my international political agenda.
And, I am in-charge for that character's audition. The movie will come after 2010 though."
"And that's not nepotism? Just because you know me?"
"It doesn't matter when the there is talent. And, am I not a nepo kid myself?"
"So you are saying you are talented huh?"
"I mean, with how our politicians are, having half a brain like me is considered talent."
"Uggh! Fine! But I will only focus on the entertainment industry. No controversial statements. I know some those bad things need to be addressed, but you address it. That's your field. I will do what's in my field.
And I don't want to be forced to do something I don't want to."
"Of course. Thanks for coming to the party."
"Do I need to buy the dress code of politicians? Like, the cap and such?"
"No. Dress as usual. Those caps are associated with liars more than anything else in politics."
"Fine."
"But you need to come to the office to register yourself. I can't be playing favouritism."
"Yeah yeah. I am coming."