It is raining actors in Odia politics

It’s going to be showtime in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections of Odisha. The flight of almost the entire Ollywood to different political platforms has set the stage for the most glamorous election Odisha has ever had.

From superstars to television celebrities and from comedians to playback singers, members of Ollywod have moved into different party folds. The three mainstream political parties — Biju Janata Dal, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party — seem to be in a competition to recruit actors.

The BJD seems to be way ahead of its two political rivals in attracting stars. On Friday, prominent Odia actor Mihir Das and well known playback singer Trupti Das, along with television celebrity Satyaki Mishra, joined the ruling party in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the latter’s residence. Welcoming the actors, Mr. Patnaik said, “they will be very useful for party.”

It all started in the 2009 elections, when the BJD roped in film star Siddhant Mohapatra and fielded him from the Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency. The actor had won the election comfortably. Till then, yesteryear actor Prasant Nanda was the only visible Ollywood face in Odisha politics.

However, the entry of reigning superstar Anubhab Mohanty and comedy actor Pappu Pompom prior to the civic elections in 2013 started a new trend. Since then, the exodus from Ollywood has continued. Siddhant and Anubhab were seen actively participating in the BJD’s campaign in the civic polls. Like Siddhant, BJD sources said Anubhab has been assured of a party ticket.

The last week of February saw two prominent actors of Odia film industry plunging into politics. Aparajita Mohanty and Bijoy Mohanty, who ruled the Odia film industry in the late 1980s, joined the Congress amid speculation that both of them would be given scope to fight elections. The BJP did not lag behind. In March, actors Pinki Pradhan and Sritam Das wore the saffron cap in the presence of party president K.V. Singhdeo. Recently, another actor Pintu Nanda joined the party.