When actor Upendra announced his entry into politics with just nine months before the polls to Karnataka Assembly, reaction from film industry, political parties and public in general was not ‘so’ enthusiastic and there was no euphoria at all. Majority expressed their apprehension over the success of actor’s experiment, as film stars in Karnataka have not made it big in the way their counterparts seized power in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. His ‘Utopian’ views on the existing electoral system was taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, undeterred by pessimistic reactions, Upendra continued his exercise of Prajakeeya-political system of “of the, for and by the people”. Entry of mega stars Rajanikanth and Kamal Hassan in to politics at the same time in Tamil Nadu raised hopes about Upendra’s experiment in Karnataka, as all the three are speaking about cleansing existing political system.
However, within six months, peoples’ apprehensions proved right, as Upendra exited from the party; Karnataka Pragnyavantara Janata Paksha (KPJP), which he took over from Mahesh Gowda. However, Upendra is fighting to get his party-Uttama Prajakeeya Pakasha (UPP) registered.
BENGALURU - KARNATAKA - 30/01/2018 : Divya Spandana, (alias Ramya - actor-turned-politician from the State), head of the Congress social media cell takes pic on cell phone, of the poster put up at the first meeting of KPCC campaign committee headed by D K Shivakumar, in Bengaluru on January 31, 2018. Photo: K. Murali Kumar
Uppi's decision to float his own political party and contest in the polls has reinforced the perception among some of the political parties that popular film stars will try to gain a foothold in politics and manipulate the political landscape for personal benefit.
But, Uppi's experiment testified the fact that "ideal models of politics” can be realised only on screen in Karnataka, not in reality. While creating ideal model of politics, visual medium also offered a great repository of corrupt political system. But, enthused by the success of stars in neighbouring states, actors are still being attracted by politics and dreaming of success pledging their mass celluloid appeal.
Experiments in recent decades testify the fact that only stars with mass appeal and calibre of M.G. Ramachandran and N.T. Rama Rao could make it big in politics, not others. As far as Karnataka is concerned, though there was enormous pressure on Kannada icon Dr. Rajkumar, he refused to enter politics. He was pressurised by Janata Party to contest against Indira Gandhi in bypolls to Lok Sabha in 1978 from Chikmagaluru. Rajkumar -- for whom “Abhimanigalu (fans) who identified with various political ideologies were his “Devarugalu” (real gods) -- did not want to identify with one political party. Reason for the success of MGR, NTR is their identification with regional aspirations.
KARNATAKA - BENGALURU - 03/03/2016 : Housing Minister M H Ambarish, during Karnataka Legislative Council at Vidhana Soudha, in Bangalore on March 03, 2016. Photo K Murali Kumar.
Rajkumar was the only one who could match the calibre of both stalwarts in Karnataka. “Although Dr. Rajkumar rejected numerous offers to don the political mantle, he had the capacity to influence government without involving in politics. But his apolitical outlook did not prevent him from protecting and espousing the cause of Kannada and Karnataka. No other actor in Karnataka has the capacity to reach the heights of Rajkumar,” says film historian N.S. Sridharamurthy.
Later though many actors tried their hand in politics, their success was limited to one region, that too because of their caste considerations. However, it was Ambarish, who succeeded in politics to a certain extent and carved a niche for himself by representing Mandya in the capacity of MP, MLA and tasted the power both as Union and State Minister.
Actor Ramya aka Divya Spandana got elected to Lok Sabha in bypolls to 2013 and lost in the crucial polls in 2014. But, instead of returning to cinema, she become a part of inner circle of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and now heading social media wing of All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Mukhyamantri for ever
Actor Shashikumar got elected to Lok Sabha from Chitradurga constituency from Congress. It is theatre and cine actor Chandru who got the recognition of Mukhyamantri, without being in the top political post in a State, because of essaying role of Chief Minister in Mukhyamantri- play for more than 36 years without break.
He is the first one to get elected as an actor in polls to Assembly from Gauribidanur constituency in 1985.
BENGALURU - KARNATAKA - 21/03/2017 : Umashree , Karnataka Minister For Women & Child Welfare And Kannada & Culture, speaking, during discussion on Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers protest, at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, in Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru on March 21, 2017. Photo K Murali Kumar
Ananth Nag, who entered Kannada cinema through Sankalpa is the first actor to get elected directly from people and was the first minister for Bengaluru Development in J.H. Patel’s cabinet in 1996. Ananth Nag represented Malleshwaram constituency in Bengaluru. He was followed by Kumar Bangarappa, who became a minister in S.M. Krishna government in 1999. Theatre and cine actor Umashree, who entered politics by becoming MLC, then fought the electoral polls from Teradal constituency. After getting elected, Umashree joined Siddaramaiah’s cabinet as Minister for Kannada and Culture and Women and Child Development. She completed five year term, while other seniors were dropped in the middle from the cabinet. Other actors who tried their luck in the electoral battle are - Jayanti T.N. Seetharam, M.P. Shankar and Ashok. But they failed to make it to the Assembly.
Actor Jaggesh got elected from Turvekere constituency first and lost in the subsequent election. Later, he got nominated to the Legislative Council. Cop turned actor B.C. Patil got elected from Hirekeruru constituency. Now Jaggesh is contesting from Yashavantpur constituency.
Gubbi in Council
The number of actors getting nominated to Legislative Council is big compared to number who get directly elected from the people. The trend of cine stars entering Legislative Council began with doyen of Kannada theatre and cinema Gubbi Veeranna. He was followed by his wife theatre artist B. Jayamma. Though Arati of Nagarahavu fame was tipped for nomination to Legislative Council, she refused the post for various reasons. Srinath and Doddarange Gowda have served as MLCs. Presently award winning actors; Tara Anuradha and, Jayamala are members of the Legislative Council.
And the trend continues...
Over 15 cine personalities are trying their luck in the May 12 polls to the Assembly. Congress leadership is persuading actor Ambarish to contest from Mandya, as he is reluctant because of treatment meted to him by the party in the last five years. He was dropped from the ministry to pave way for new faces in 2016.
Umashree will contest from Teradal again. C.P. Yogeshwar and Kumar Bangarappa are contesting from Channapatna and Sorab constituency respectively. Madhu Bangarappa is facing his brother in Sorab. Film producer and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is contesting from both Ramanagar and Channapatna constituencies. Producer of Kurukshetra, Munirathna and Huchcha Venkat are facing each other in Rajarajeshwarinagar.
Former MP Shashi Kumar is JD (S) candidate from Hosadurga Assembly segment.
In the run up to the polls, stars will be on a sticky wicket as all the national parties want stars to add glamour to their poll campaign.
This time top stars including Sudeep, Yash and Darshan are campaigning for the leaders of their choice. Attempts were made by all the three parties to drag Sudeep into their fold. Finally, Sudeep decided to campaign for candidates who are close to him. Yash is supporting candidates who promises to implement his development agenda.
Karnataka:Bengaluru:19/03/2015: MLCs of Congress and BJP Tara Anuradha and Jayamala sharing a lighter moment at Legislative Council on March 19, 2015. Photo: V Sreenivasa Murthy
In fact, it is a practice for political parties to bring Bollywood stars, affiliated to their parties to campaign in respective states. This time around Hema Malini and Raj Babbar, Khushboo, Nagma and Chiranjeevi are campaigning for BJP and Congress.
Regional party JD (S) which lacked ‘star’ power so far, has suddenly gained star colour with actor-producer Pooja Gandhi rejoining Janata Dal (Secular) on Saturday, Shashikumar joining the party and Rachita Ram openly campaigning for “Kumaranna”, Amulya (Chaluvina Chittara fame) campaigning for her father-in-law. Kumaraswmay himself is a leading film producer. Telugu star-turned politician Pawan Kalyan will also campaign for JD (S), he has a huge influence on Telugu speaking population in Karnataka.
It has to be seen how many stars will step in to Vidhana Soudha. If luck prevails, they will join the cabinet of respective chief ministers, on the lines of Umashree.
