On Tuesday, many politicians from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) showed up at Chapra, Bihar to flag off L K Advani's latest Rath Yatra.
But BJP's most glamorous politician Hema Malini was conspicuous by her absence although her good friend and colleague from Bollywood, Shatrughan Sinha had asked Hema to accompany him.
Says a source, "Whenever there' a BJP event in Bihar, Shatrughan Sinha makes sure Hema is escorted to the State by him and his security staff.
He doesn't want any hint of a problem when Hema is in his home state." Incidentally, Hema is out of politics for some time now, at least until her daughter's film Tell Me Oh Kkhuda is released.
Apparently, she has duly informed the BJP's high command about her inability to be part of the party's political activities during the coming months.
Confirming her sabbatical from politics, Hema says, "Where do I have the time for politics right now? I am too busy with the release of our film.
At the moment seeing Tell Me Oh Kkhuda to its release is my biggest concern. Politics can take a back seat. It is a very important film for Esha's career.
I and Dharamji are very tense. I am unable to sleep due to anxiety. I was never so concerned about my own career."
The concerned mother and producer is now planning a big event related to the film in Delhi on October 18. She wants a whole battery of actors, young and old, to accompany her to the Capital.
Says the overwhelmed actress and mother, "Everyone I've asked has agreed. I feel so blessed when Akshay Kumar says, 'You just have to say when and where, and I'll be there'.
They're all big stars and are still ready to set aside everything to accompany me. So it's 'Dilli Chalo' for me and the industry. But there's no politics involved this time."
