Celebs bring star power to historic India election
Parties hope Kollywood influence will boost votes
Coimbatore: On a humid evening in India’s south, drummers and dancers heave to Kamal Haasan’s blockbuster hits, whipping a huge crowd into ecstasy just as the moustachioed megastar himself steps onto the stage.
There is a red carpet, confetti and coloured lights rippling over the sea of jiving fans screaming Haasan’s name, but this is no concert – it’s an Indian political rally worthy of a superstar.
The path from celebrity to politics is well-trodden in India and Haasan – an icon of Tamil Nadu cinema or “Kollywood” – is one of many stars on the hustings ahead of the national election starting next week.
Thousands of candidates are contesting the election – the biggest in history, with 900 million eligible voters – but not all have the X-factor of Haasan.
The 64-year-old launched the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam in 2018 to much fanfare in Tamil Nadu, where he is a household name after decades as a leading man in film.
His rallies more closely resemble movie sets than the boilerplate campaign functions hosted by India’s political hopefuls.
In Coimbatore city, musicians and dancers performed energetic dance numbers from Haasan’s films as fans packed the rally ground for a glimpse of the star.
The man himself is not even contesting, but is fielding 40 candidates to vie for seats for his party in the national parliament, far away in New Delhi.
But there is no mistaking who the force behind the party is, his face beaming down from rallies, posters and giant screens.
“All the candidates are my faces and I will be the chariot puller,” Haasan thundered at a recent rally in Coimbatore.
Parties of all persuasion seek celebrity endorsement in elections, particularly exploiting the country’s devotion to film and cricket.
With millions of voters and a dizzying array of candidates and parties, allying with a recognisable face works wonders, said Rasheed Kidwai, who has written a book on Bollywood’s role in politics.
“Their onscreen image also helps in creating a better connection with the masses,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fielding Bollywood veterans Hema Malini and Kirron Kher.
Modi’s chief opponents in Congress also court big names, with film star Urmila Matondkar recently throwing her weight behind Rahul Gandhi’s party and actors Raj Babbar and Shatrughan Sinha already on board.
Some of Haasan’s opponents say he lacks political acumen, a jibe that rings a bit hollow in Tamil Nadu, a state governed by one celebrity leader or another for the better part of 50 years.
“The opposition is asking, ‘Who is this guy? He is just an actor’. Yes, I am an actor, everyone knows that. An honest actor,” Haasan told a crowd to cheers recently.
“I have been a fan for years,” said Abhirami, a housewife.
“There is a lack of good leadership in Tamil Nadu. Now that he has joined politics, I am here to support him. He sounds more believable and honest than most politicians.”