Inside Bollywood's love-hate relationship with politics

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Inside Bollywoods love-hate relationship with politics
Madhuri Dixit and Sriram Nene with BJP president Amit Shah and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis

Published: Fri 22 Jun 2018, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Tue 26 Jun 2018, 10:22 AM

That ruling parties of the Indian government consider Bollywood stars as tremendous support systems is as age-old as the independence of the nation itself. Over time, A-list stars have been either tempted to assimilate into a party's fold by contesting general elections, or have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. If not, their participation, as orators, in election campaigns has been the next best option.
With the general elections for the 17th Lok Sabha scheduled for next April or May, it's clear that a formal meeting between movie celebrities and a prominent political leader - who jets down from New Delhi to Mumbai - would make for a perfect photo-op. The bonhomie would be duly flashed all over the media, conveying that stars have given their tacit support to the ruling party.

It was hardly surprising, then, that on June 6, Madhuri Dixit and her husband Sriram Nene exchanged dazzling smiles with the BJP's gregarious party president Amit Shah, accompanied by Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had dropped by for a friendly chat.
Surprisingly though, Lata Mangeshkar, asked to be excused from a similar tête-à-tête with Shah. Stating that she was indisposed because of food poisoning, the legendary chanteuse made it clear, to some observers at least, that she wished to stay neutral. Incidentally, the 88-year-old former Rajya Sabha MP had once been criticised harshly for her sparse attendance at Parliament sessions.
Inducted to the Upper House in 1999, some three years later, she had stated categorically, "I pleaded with those who urged me into the Rajya Sabha to let me off. Though I had the highest regard for then BJP leader L.K. Advani and (then) Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee - I still do - I am a misfit. What do I know about politics?"
Similarly, Rekha as a Rajya Sabha member has been criticised for irregular attendance. Earlier, the casualties in the arena of politics have ranged from Amitabh Bachchan, who was encouraged to join politics by his friend Rajiv Gandhi, to Govinda and Dharmendra. Cases of once-bitten-twice-shy, they aren't likely to join politics 24x7 again.
In a departure from the norm, Bachchan does seem to have cast in his lot informally with the BJP by serving as brand ambassador of the state of Gujarat, besides being the face of several campaigns initiated by the ruling government. Meanwhile, wife Jaya Bachchan, has strived to be an articulate Rajya Sabha member, as a nominee of the Samajwadi Party, despite a falling out with mentor Amar Singh.
To return to the Amit Shah-Madhuri Dixit-Nene tea party, at this juncture, this affirms the fact that when it comes to backing a political party, the leading lights of Bollywood could well play a pivotal role next year. How exactly? That will depend on how deep Ms Dixit is willing to take the plunge into the ever-daunting waters of realpolitik.
Recently, union minister Nitin Gadkari met Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan for over 30 minutes - at their oceanfront residence in Bandra, as part of the BJP's Contact for Support campaign. Booklets, highlighting the achievements of the ruling government, were presented to the Khans. The minister tweeted about the meeting. Salman and his father didn't comment, but did express their 'like' on the tweet.
It's no secret that at least two top Bollywood actors - Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn - possess considerable heft in Delhi's inner circles. Following Akshay's overtly social reformist films Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and PadMan, there has been talk that he will be offered a ticket to contest the general elections. Sources close to him, however, refute the rumour, with the reasoning that the busy actor would never sideline a flourishing career. As for Devgn's clout and predilection for an active political career, right now these belong in the realm of conjecture.
Over to Shatrughan Sinha, who has been an elected BJP member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, twice over, besides holding the portfolio of the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (July 2002-January 2003). Vociferously critical of quite a few of his party leaders and their policies, he is holding his cards closely to his chest at present.
Ask Sinha what his gameplan is and he responds cryptically, "I will not leave politics till they (the leaders he has issues with) leave the scenario. Because I did not join politics to quit."
Come to think of it, the connection between politics and Bollywood has never been as dramatic and star-studded. No two ways about it: in the months to come, the blockbuster plot is bound to thicken.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com

by

Khalid Mohamed

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