Jayalalithaa To Kangana Ranaut: How Indian Actors Have Performed In Politics
Here is a list of Indian actors who have participated in politics and how they have performed over the years.
It is the season of politics. India has just wrapped up Lok Sabha Elections 2024, and it was the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that came on the right side of the result, securing the third term in power for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. Narendra Modi has secured his third straight term as a Prime Minister. This election also saw several Indian actors contesting from different seats across India, and many of them came on the right side of the result. However, this is not the first time actors have taken centrestage in politics. Over the years, several Indian actors such as Hema Malini, Sunil Dutt, and Sunny Deol, among others have contested elections, and many of them have emerged triumphant.
Since this is the election season, we will discuss how Indian actors have lit up politics, and how these stars have taken to active politics. This article will also talk about the phenomenon of Indian actors transitioning into politics, examining their motivations, and challenges.
Everyone knows that India is a land of diverse culture and rich heritage. The country has always had a deep-seated love affair with cinema and politics. Several film industries in India such as Bollywood (Hindi) and regional film industries like Tollywood (Telugu), Kollywood (Tamil), and others, have managed to create larger-than-life figures whose influence ends up extending far beyond the silver screen. This influence has often transcended into the realm of politics, where actors leverage their celebrity status and stardom to gain public support.
We have already established that the connection between Indian cinema and politics is not a recent phenomenon. The trend can be traced back to the early days of Indian independence. The charm and charisma of politics for actors lie in the shared attributes of visibility and public engagement.
Actors from the Southern film industries have often had significant political careers. This trend is particularly prominent in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where the lines between cinema and politics are more fluid and the lines have definitely been blurred. There also have been some actors from Bollywood, who have managed to leave a mark in politics.
Bollywood actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, and Jaya Prada have all had varying degrees of political involvement.
Here are some of the prominent actors and their tryst with politics. So without further ado, the list is as follows:
MG Ramachandran (MGR)
One of the earliest examples of an actor entering politics was MG Ramachandran (MGR), a celebrated figure in Tamil cinema. MGR's transition from an actor to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu set a precedent for many actors to follow. MG Ramachandran, fondly known as MGR, was a matinee god in Tamil Nadu with an immense fan following. His popularity transcended his films, creating a cult-like status and he ended up utilising this to launch his political career. MGR founded the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 1972 after splitting from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
His political career was marked by significant welfare schemes and populist measures, which endeared him further to the masses. MGR served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over a decade, illustrating how an actor's charisma can translate into political goodwill.
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR)
Another prominent example of an actor transitioning into politics is Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), a legendary figure in Telugu cinema. NTR's portrayal of mythological and historical characters won him immense popularity down South. In 1982, he formed the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and stormed into politics with the promise of bringing dignity to the Telugu people.
His political journey was characterised by his dynamic leadership and reformist policies. NTR served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, demonstrating the potential for actors to make a significant impact in governance.
Jayalalithaa Jayaram
Jayalalithaa Jayaram, another towering figure in Tamil Nadu's politics, transitioned from being a successful actress to a formidable politician. She was a protege of MGR and later became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, leading the AIADMK. Her tenure was marked by strong leadership and numerous welfare schemes. Despite facing numerous legal challenges and controversies, her popularity remained undiminished.
Chiranjeevi
Speaking of Chiranjeevi, a megastar in Telugu cinema, also forayed into politics by founding the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008. Although his initial political journey faced challenges, he later merged his party with the Congress and served as a Union Minister, showcasing the complexities of sustaining political success.
Pawan Kalyan
Pawan Kalyan founded the Jana Sena Party (JSP) in 2014. The Jana Sena Party contested 21 constituencies in the recently concluded 2024 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections. Kalyan had contested in Pithapuram constituency. He won by a huge margin of more than 70,000 votes. The JSP also managed to secure two Lok Sabha seats.
Suresh Gopi
Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi joined the BJP in 2016. In March 2024, he was announced as the BJP candidate from the Thrissur constituency for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Kerala. He ended up winning the seat, becoming the first BJP Lok Sabha MP from Kerala.
Amitabh Bachchan
Big B, one of India's most iconic actors, entered politics for a little while in the 1980s. His entry into politics received a major boost as he was a close friend of Rajiv Gandhi. However, his political career was short-lived and marred by controversies, prompting him to return to cinema.
Hema Malini
Hema Malini, known as the 'Dream Girl' of Bollywood, has had a more sustained political career. She is currently a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served as a Member of Parliament. Her involvement in politics has seen her advocating for issues related to women and culture. She recently won from Mathura seat in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Smriti Irani
Smriti Irani, known for her TV serial 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', joined BJP in 2003. Over the years, she has tasted phenomenal success in politics. In August 2011, Smriti Irani finally entered parliament. She was sworn in as a member of parliament from Gujarat to the Rajya Sabha. In 2019, Smriti Irani emerged as a giant slayer as she defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
However, Smriti Irani has now received a major jolt as she lost in Amethi in the Lok Sabha Polls 2024. She was defeated by Congress' Kishori Lal Sharma by a margin of 1.6 lakh votes.
Ravi Kishan
Ravi Kishan first joined the Indian National Congress (INC) from the Jaunpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh and contested in the 2014 Lok Sabha Polls. In February 2017, he ended up leaving the Congress and joined forces with the BJP.
Ravi Kishan was named for Gorakhpur during the 2019 General election by Bharatiya Janata Party. He ended up winning his seat. In 2024 as well, Ravi Kishan ended up winning the seat.
Manoj Tiwari
Manoj Tiwari has been a long-time BJP loyalist. A Bhojpuri superstar and BJP candidate from North-East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, Manoj Tiwari ended up defeating Congress candidate and former JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Shatrughan Sinha
Shatrughan Sinha, another Bollywood veteran, has had a long political career, initially with the BJP and later with the Indian National Congress (INC). His political journey has been marked by his outspoken nature and his ability to connect with the masses.
Arun Govil
Actor Arun Govil, who is famous for playing Lord Ram in the popular Doordarshan series 'Ramayan', also won the Meerut Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh with 5,46,469 votes, in Lok Sabha Polls 2024.
Rajinikanth
Rajinikanth also known as Thalaivar, is one of the most iconic figures in Tamil cinema. He announced his intention to enter politics, creating a significant buzz. Although his political plans have seen several delays, his potential entry remains a topic of considerable speculation and interest.
Kamal Haasan
Another stalwart of Tamil cinema, Kamal Haasan launched his political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), in 2018. His political journey has been characterised by his emphasis on governance, transparency, and development. Kamal Haasan's entry into politics has added a new dimension to Tamil Nadu's political landscape, highlighting the ongoing relevance of actors in regional politics.
Kangana Ranaut
Known for her outspoken nature, Kangana Ranaut contested elections for the very first time in Lok Sabha Polls 2024. The 'Queen' star fought elections on a BJP ticket from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, and she ended up winning the contest fair and square. Now, it needs to be seen how she operates as an MP.
Jaya Prada
Jaya Prada entered politics with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) before moving to the Samajwadi Party (SP). She was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rampur in 2004 and 2009. Her tenure was marked by internal party conflicts and controversies, leading to her expulsion from SP. She joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and later the BJP. In 2019, she contested Rampur again but lost.
Dharmendra
Dharmendra, one of Bollywood's most loved actors, joined the BJP and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bikaner in 2004. His political performance was largely criticised due to his irregular attendance in Parliament. Dharmendra's son Sunny Deol also won Lok Sabha Elections in 2019 after contesting on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur, Punjab. However, Sunny was also criticised for poor attendance in parliament, and hence, he did not seek re-election in 2024.
Rajesh Khanna
Rajesh Khanna had joined the Congress and was elected to the Lok Sabha from New Delhi in 1992. His tenure was relatively short, and he was not re-elected in subsequent elections.
Vinod Khanna
Vinod Khanna joined the BJP and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gurdaspur in 1998, and re-elected in 1999, 2004, and 2014. He served as a Minister of State for Tourism and Culture and later for External Affairs. Khanna's political career was marked by his dedication and active participation, making him one of the more successful actors-turned-politicians.
Govinda
Govinda, who is known for his comic timing, had joined the Congress and contested the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North. He won by a significant margin but faced criticism for his lack of attendance and engagement in parliamentary duties. Frustrated with the political process, he did not seek re-election in 2009.
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