Rani Singh

In Britain my former EastEnders acting colleague Michael Cashman, MEP, has successfully moved into full- time politics.

If he had been an Indian star-turned politician, his popularity would be multiplied a hundredfold.

The Indian film industry produces the largest number of films in the world. There are over a dozen movie actors and entertainers, more than ever before, in the 2009 election cycle.

Where substantive issues are missing in lacklustre campaigns, stars can generate crowds. But voters aren’t fooled.

"I go [to rallies] because I want to see them up close," said one taxi driver. "But I don't trust them. They're actors."

In one town in the state of Bihar, actor and television talk-show host, Shekhar ‘Shaker’ Suman, is running for Congress, while his BJP opponent, Shatrughan ‘Shotgun’ Sinha, is a movie star and judge on the country’s most popular talent show. Sinha explains his move into politics simply.

"Glamour has limited power, whereas power has unlimited glamour."

Chiranjeevi, a South Indian superstar, started his own political party, supported by fellow actors. At million-strong rallies, he plays clips, often featuring him shirtless,
from his most popular film dance sequences.

The would-be chief minister of key swing-state Tamil Nadu is 53-year-old Jayalalitha, film siren turned grisly politician. At least three of this state’s chief ministers have been celluloid actors. Two have been script writers.

BJP leader L.K.Advani is competing with a professional dancer, Mallika Sarabhai, for his seat. She gets louder cheers for her dance displays than she does for her stump speeches.

Film actor Sinha acknowledges, "The crowd doesn't always translate into votes." While India awaits the results of the 2009 election, Mr Suman figures, if he fails, he can always go back to Bollywood.

"Once an actor," he says, "always an actor."

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