Walking hand in hand, actors Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone made their maiden appearance on the ramp for Mijwan, a fundraiser hosted by veteran actress Shabana Azmi.
The event is held annually to raise money for the development of craftswomen in Mijwan, a village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
The show was presented by fashion designer Manish Malhotra.
Both Kapoor and Padukone — who used to date — were dressed in traditional Indian attire; while the Padmaavat star wore a white, shimmery lehanga-choli, her former co-star looked dapper in a black and ivory sherwani.
Kapoor, who walked for Mijwan for the second time, recalled what his mother once told him about treating women with respect and equality.
“My mom always told me that a man is as good as the respect he shows to a woman. A man is as good as the space he gives to his wife, sister, mother, to be whosoever she wants to be. I genuinely try to do that,” the 35-year-old actor said after walking the ramp.
Padukone praised Azmi and said the actress was a source of inspiration for her.
“I’ve seen the amazing work you all have been doing and I’ve to confess when I started my philanthropic work three years ago, a lot of inspiration came from you [Azmi]. What’s inspiring is to see the impact, the commitment, the kind of work you all do that has impacted the lives of so many young women and children, to enable them, empower them,” the 32-year-old actress said.
“Most importantly to bring joys to so many lives. So thank you, to all the women who work behind the scenes. The strength of a nation lies in the skills we build, whether it’s craft or art and for all of you to have recognised this nine years ago is amazing,” she added.
NGO Mijwan Welfare Society, founded by Azmi’s late father, noted poet Kaifi Azmi, was launched with the goal of creating employment opportunities for women and reviving the art of chikankari embroidery.
