Top actors who took to politics in India
Politics seems to be a popular graduation for actors who are keen to stoke their latent activism. As Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan takes a political plunge today in Tamil Nadu, joining the league of actors such as Rajinikanth who unveiled their political ambitions recently, Gulf News takes a look at some of the talents who attempted to govern their country. Their collective mantra seems to be to do greater good and weed out corruption:
MGR (Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran)
State: Tamil Nadu Political journey: He joined politics as a member of the DMK, but later formed his own party, the AIADMK. One of the most successful actor-turned-politicians, he reigned supreme in Tamil Nadu as chief minister from 1977 until his death in 1987.
NTR (Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao)
State: Andhra Pradhesh Political journey: NTR served as a chief minister for three terms between 1983 and 1994 helming the Telugu Desam, which he founded.
Rajinikanth
State: Tamil Nadu Political journey: He announced his political ambitions this year amidst much fanfare and his mantra was: “I’ll push for spiritual politics without caste or religious leanings”. His party is yet to be named.
Prem Nazir
State: Kerala His political journey: Joined Congress I in the late ‘70s to campaign for them, but did not float an independent party. He was the self-appointed spokesperson for the poor.
Amitabh Bachchan
State: Uttar Pradesh Political journey: In 1984, Bachchan took a sabbatical from films and contested the Lok Sabha election from Allahabad on a Congress ticket. But his political ambitions were short-lived and he retired three years later.
Jayalalitha
State: Tamil Nadu Politicial journey: This actress was a political firebrand who served six terms as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu over 14 years between 1991 and 2016.
Chiranjeevi
State: Andhra Pradesh Political journey: In 2008, the awardwinning actor founded the political party Praja Rajyam, which he later merged with the Congress party. Tackling social injustice was his agenda. He also served as a member of the state assembly from Tirupati.
Mukesh
State: Kerala Party and his mantra: Kerala’s Marxist party CPI (M) took this popular comedian under its wings following which he won state elections and came to represent the Kollam constituency. He’s currently a member of the state legislative assembly.
Sunil Dutt
State: Maharashtra Political journey: The award-winning late actor joined the Indian National Congress in 1984 and was elected to parliament for five terms from the Mumbai North West constituency. He was also the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2004.
Vijaykanth
State: Tamil Nadu Political journey: He founded the regional party in Tamil Nadu called Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhakam and is a member of the legislative assembly, representing Rishivandiyam constituency.
Pawan Kalyan
State: Andhra Pradesh Political journey: He joined politics in 2014 and launched the Jana Sena Party.