AP film stars’ call-sheets crammed with poll appearances

Elections in Andhra Pradesh are reminders of how closely intertwined the world of politics and cinema are in this film-crazy State.

The 2014 general election is no different.

This time, it is not just about film stars hitting the campaign trail as Balakrishna, Pawan Kalyan and Junior NTR did in 2009. A good number of actors are eyeing a Lok Sabha entry this time from different political parties.

In Nizam’s land The list includes Pawan Kalyan, who recently floated Jana Sena, Krishnamraju, and Vijayashanti and Murali Mohan. Pawan’s brother Chiranjeevi, who has been given the responsibility of campaigning for the Congress in the Seemandhra region, will tour 13 districts.

A Rajya Sabha member, Chiranjeevi is not likely to contest the polls himself.

Both the brothers have significant following in Telangana, too. In film trade circles, this area is referred to as Nizam’s (pronounced Naijam’s) and attracts huge bids from distributors.

Yesteryear hero Krishnamraju, who held a portfolio in the Atal Behari Vajpayee Cabinet, is seeking ticket from the BJP. He represented Kakinada and Narsapur in the 12th and the 13th Lok Sabhas.

He quit the BJP and joined Prajarajyam, founded by Chiranjeevi in 2009, but lost to Vundavalli Arunkumar in Rajahmundry in the elections held that year. He, however, fell out with Chiranjeevi after the latter merged the party with the Congress. Krishnamraju recently rejoined the BJP.

Actor-cum-real-estate baron Murali Mohan is eyeing the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat that he lost to Undavalli Arunkumar narrowly in 2009.

The TDP might field him from the same constituency, and he hopes to cash in on the positive outlook for the party. He has been associated with the TDP ever since it was founded in 1982.

Actor Vijayashanti, an MP in the outgoing Lok Sabha, has already announced that she is ready to face Telangana Rashtra Samithi President K Chandrasekhara Rao as a Congress candidate. She quit the TRS to join the Congress soon after the bifurcation of the State. Junior NTR, who campaigned for the TDP in 2009, has been silent so far about his role. He fell out with N Chandrababu Naidu soon after the last elections and was not seen at any of the party’s events, including Mahanadu.

Assembly scene Some Tollywood stars are looking at the Assembly elections too.

The TDP is expected to field Balakrishna from a constituency of his choice, possibly from Anantapur district.

His father and TDP founder NT Rama Rao had won from Hindupur in the 1980s. The party hopes that Balakrishna’s candidature there will boost the chances of other party candidates in the region.

Actor Jeevitha, who joined the BJP this month, may or may not contest in this election. Jayasudha, who represents Secunderabad Assembly constituency, and comedian Ali are the other stars in the fray.

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