This was an unusual gathering, certainly – actress Soha Ali Khan shared the stage with information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari and Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed. It was for a good cause, championed by Shabnam Hashmi, that brought them together. They all spoke about efforts at rehabilitating those living in the villages of Bihar after the natural disasters that struck the state in 2008 and 2009.
Looking cool and pretty in an off-white and orange
kurta-churidar, Soha was gracious and patient with curious guests and star-struck gawkers. But her speech, delivered entirely in Hindi for the benefit of the many women from villages in Bihar who were beneficiaries of the programme, was the most impressive part of her appearance here.