Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
In the colorful mosaic of Indian democracy,the allure of stardom has long tempted film actors to swap the silver screen for the political stage.
Over recent decades, Bollywood and regional cinema stars have flooded into politics, joining parties and climbing to positions as Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), and even ministers.
Their celebrity status often guarantees electoral wins through fan loyalty and media buzz, but the real test lies in governance.
Do these actors deliver on promises, or is their political career just another scripted performance? Mounting evidence—from parliamentary records, electoral defeats, and public scandals—suggests that most film stars turned politicians in India ultimately fail, plagued by detachment, poor performance, and a inability to adapt to the demands of public service.
While historical icons like M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), J. Jayalalithaa, and N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) stand as exceptions who transformed regional politics with welfare reforms and mass appeal, their successes are outliers rooted in deep cultural connections and grassroots efforts.
In contrast, contemporary data paints a damning picture of widespread underperformance.
A 2024 analysis by India Spend revealed that celebrity MPs— including actors and sportspersons—logged significantly lower attendance (average 68% vs. the national 79%), participated in fewer debates (average 20 vs. 56), asked fewer questions (average 165 vs. 210), and introduced fewer private bills (average 0.4 vs. 1.2) during the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-2024).
This trend underscores a broader failure: glamour may win votes, but it rarely translates into effective leadership.
Bollywood’s Big Flops: High-Profile Electoral and Governance Failures:
The list of failed actor-politicians is extensive and spans Bollywood’s biggest names.
Amitabh Bachchan, India’s megastar, entered politics in 1984 as a Congress MP from Allahabad but resigned amid the Bofors scandal, unable to complete his term and labeling politics a “cesspool.
Govinda, the comedy king, won as a Congress MP in 2004 but faced criticism for absenteeism and minimal contributions, failing to spend from his MPLAD funds and exiting politics after one term.
Sanjay Dutt, despite his Munnabhai fame, contested unsuccessfully in 2009 and later withdrew due to legal troubles, highlighting how personal controversies derail political ambitions.
Even nominated Rajya Sabha members like Rekha, the enigmatic actress, recorded abysmally low attendance—around 5-7% during her 2012-2018 term—drawing ire for treating Parliament like an optional cameo.
Jaya Bachchan, a Samajwadi Party MP, has been re-elected multiple times but faced backlash for low participation and incidents of snubbing constituents, further exemplifying accessibility issues.
Hema Malini, the “Dream Girl” and BJP MP from Mathura, epitomizes the entitlement critique. Despite multiple terms, her attendance hovered at 39-68% in various sessions, with critics pointing to her refusal to travel in non-luxury vehicles during campaigns as a sign of disconnect from voters.
Smriti Irani, a former TV actress, celebrated her 2019 upset over Rahul Gandhi in Amethi but was defeated in 2024, amid accusations of neglecting grievances and poor constituency development.
Regional Realities: Kerala’s Cautionary Tales and Beyond
In Kerala, where voters were once hesitant about film stars, the trend has led to notable disappointments.
Actor K.B. Ganesh Kumar became a minister but was mired in scandals, including allegations of framing former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Mukesh, another MLA, has been labeled unresponsive and arrogant, with questionable contributions. The late Innocent lost re-election after a lackluster MP term.
On the national stage, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, a prominent Malayalam actor, has faced criticism for his reluctance to visit his Thrissur constituency and for appearing unprepared to handle media questions.
Reports of his alleged arrogance when faced with inquiries have raised questions about his accessibility as a public representative.
Rekha, a Bollywood icon nominated to the Rajya Sabha, has been criticized for her minimal attendance in parliamentary sessions, further fueling perceptions of disengagement.
Northern India’s Gautam Gambhir, a cricketer-actor hybrid, quit politics in 2024 after accusations of inaccessibility and prioritizing commentary over duties.
Even in the South, where stars like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth launched parties with fanfare, their ventures fizzled—Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam won no seats in 2021, underscoring electoral failures.
The Data Doesn’t Lie: Systemic Underperformance:
Quantitative metrics reinforce these anecdotes. PRS Legislative Research data from 2019 shows celebrity MPs asked 101 questions on average (vs. 293 for all MPs) and debated far less.
Attendance dips are stark:
Mithun Chakraborty at 10%, Nusrat Jahan and Mimi Chakraborty at minimal levels post-election.
A Quora analysis notes that independent celebrity candidacies fail more often than party-backed ones, with overall success rates skewed by rare wins in star-worshipping regions like Tamil Nadu.
Broader studies highlight a “success rate” inflated by initial victories but eroded by re-election losses and policy voids.
The root cause? A profound disconnect. Accustomed to luxury and adulation, actors struggle to empathize with daily wage workers or rural issues.
Occasional charity masks rare grassroots engagement, while scandals like fee demands expose entitlement A deeper issue lies in the lifestyle gap between these celebrities and ordinary citizens.
Accustomed to luxury and exclusivity, many actor-turned-politicians struggle to relate to the daily struggles of daily wage workers, gig economy employees, or rural laborers.
While some engage in occasional philanthropy, sustained grassroots engagement remains rare.
In one reported case, an actor-turned-MP allegedly demanded fees to attend public functions, highlighting a troubling sense of entitlement that undermines the ethos of public service.
The Need for Grassroots Leadership:
The mixed performance of celebrity politicians underscores the need for political parties to prioritize candidates with grassroots experience.
Leaders who have worked at the booth level, understand the challenges faced by ordinary citizens, and are committed to serving them tirelessly are better equipped to address the complexities of governance.
While star power can draw crowds and secure votes, it does not guarantee the dedication or empathy required for effective public service.
As India’s political landscape evolves, parties must look beyond fame and focus on candidates who are grounded in the realities of their constituents’ lives.
Only then can the promise of democratic representation be fully realized.
