It is a known fact that down South, film stars are considered as demi-gods; hence, that is the reason after the huge success of Mega Superstars like MGR, NTR and Jayalalithaa gaining huge popularity in politics, many more film stars attempted politics and did emerge successful.
Telugu film star Ambareesh is a prominent actor-cum-politician from Karnataka state. In 1994, he joined Congress, but his stint was short-lived. After being denied a ticket from the south, he quit in 1996 and later joined Janata Dal. He went on to win the 1998 general election from Mandya. In 1999, Ambareesh rejoined the Congress and won three elections in a row 1998–1999, 1999–2004 and 2004–2009
From Kollywood to Power Play: South Indian Stars in Politics
Tamil film superstar Vijaykanth formed a regional party, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), in Tamil Nadu. His party gave a tough fight to AIADMK. It is said the DMDK, led by Vijaykanth, proved to be an important player in the 2006 Tamil Nadu assembly election. DMDK recently announced its candidates for the four Lok Sabha seats allotted to it in the AIADMK-led alliance.
Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi joined politics in 2018 with the formation of his own party called thePraja Rajyam Party. However, his party failed to achieve seats that could make Chiranjeevi a chief minister; hence, Chiranjeevi merged the Praja Rajyam with the Congress party. He did become a Rajya Sabha member in 2012, but later his career declined, and he quit politics.
Like elder brother Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, popularly called the Telugu film industry’s ‘Power Star,’ established the Janasena Party in 2014. Contrary to Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party, Pawan Kalyan did not contest the elections. In the 2019 elections, Jana Sena will contest together with left parties (Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist)) and Bahujan Samaj Party in both Telugu states. Likewise, for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election 2019, Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan will be contesting from two seats—Gajuwaka and Bhimavaramin.Bollywood’s
d number 1 villain Prakash Raj, whoo did superhit films Singham and Dabangg 22, is a popular South star and social activist. This year he announced his official entry into politics. He will contest the 2019 general elections from Bengaluru Central as an independent candidate. He is against Narendra Modi’s stance on fundamentalism.
Lights, Camera, Governance: South Indian Film Stars in Politics
SuperstarRajinikanth, for, the past many years, has been enticed by many parties to contest the election, but Rajinikanth has maintained silence. However, in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Rajnikanth has confirmed that he will be contesting in the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu with his newly launched party. Though the party name is still in the pipeline, people are excited at Rajnikanth’s entry into politics.
Rajnikanth’s counterpart, Kamal Hassan, on the other hand, has announced his party name—Makkal Needhi Maiyam—in Tamil Nadu. In addition, Kamal Hassan has also announced that he will neither contest the Lok Sabha elections nor by-polls to 18 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. Nevertheless, his party will contest all 39 seats in the state assembly polls. In his party’s ambitious manifesto, Kamal Hassan has promised 50 lakh jobs and 50% reservation to women. The entry of both Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan has sent excitement and fervor into Tamil Nadu politics.
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