Scene 1: In 1984, Amitabh Bachchan, one of India’s biggest film stars, won the Lok Sabha elections, defeating Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna by a huge margin.
However, his journey in politics was not as smooth as his success in films. When Bachchan entered Parliament, a well-known politician sarcastically said, “Hope you won’t shoot us like in your movie Inquilaab,” referring to Bachchan’s role as a hero in the film. Despite his popularity on screen, Bachchan’s political career failed miserably. His association with the Gandhi family brought him into politics, but the Bofors scandal tarnished his image. Though he was later cleared, the damage was done, and he quietly left politics for good.
Scene 2: On 25th March 1989, Tamil Nadu’s assembly witnessed a shocking incident. Jayalalitha, the leader of the opposition, was humiliated when her saree was pulled by members of the ruling DMK party. She was mocked and insulted, but Jayalalitha made a strong vow that day: she would return to the assembly only as Chief Minister. True to her word, she became one of Tamil Nadu’s most powerful leaders, breaking barriers in the male-dominated world of Tamil politics.
Though her career was not without controversy, Jayalalitha’s resilience made her a symbol of strength.
Scene 3: Bhagwant Mann, a stand-up comedian known for his mimicry, wasn’t as famous as his contemporary Kapil Sharma. But today, Mann is the Chief Minister of Punjab, leading the state for the last two years. Most of his comedian contemporaries, except Kapil Sharma, have faded away, but Mann made a surprising transition into politics and succeeded.
These three stories might seem different, but they share one common factor— actors stepping into politics. The relationship between Bollywood and Indian politics is complex, with a mix of love and hate. While some stars have managed to do well in politics, many others, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Lata Mangeshkar, Kirron Kher, Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Govinda, and Rajesh Khanna, have struggled to make a mark. On the other hand, politicians like Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Bachchan, and Vinod Khanna have managed to find success. The biggest reason for this difference is public expectations. Amitabh Bachchan, for example, remains an admired actor, but that did not translate into political success. His association with the Gandhi family may have brought him into politics, but the Bofors scandal severely damaged his credibility. Though he was cleared of any wrongdoing, his political career never recovered, and his once- glittering film career also faced difficulties.
In contrast, actors like Vinod Khanna, Raj Babbar, and Shatrughan Sinha didn’t have to deal with the same level of expectations, allowing them to navigate politics more smoothly. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, there are many film personalities who have tried their luck in politics, but very few have managed to shine. The reason often lies in the gap between their screen persona and real-life expectations. In films like Nayak, Anil Kapoor’s character could make quick decisions when he became Chief Minister for a day, but in real life, it’s far more complicated. Though the film industry keeps producing actors who enter politics, only a small number achieve success. While movie stardom guarantees popularity, it doesn’t ensure success in the tough world of politics.
(Writer is a communication professional. Views Personal)
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