L-R: Maithili Thakur, Khesarilal Yadav and Ritesh Pandey.
Credit: Instagram@maithilithakur and @khesari_yadav; Facebook@BhojpuriSangrahVideos
History is not new to stars from the entertainment industry entering politics. Evident in South Indian cinemas for decades, where celebrities have formed governments and led states, now Bihar also sees stars running the election battle.
Bihar Assembly Election 2025 saw at least three candidates with a career in Bhojpuri entertainment industry, namely, Maithili Thakur, Shatrughan Yadav and Ritesh Pandey. Is their fame playing the game in the polls?
While singer Maithili Thakur, contesting from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was seen leading on the vote counting charts, the other two Bhojpuri stars appeared to be not doing well. In Alinagar, Thakur constantly maintained the lead over RJD's Binod Mishra.
"This is like a dream. People have a lot of expectations of me... This will be my first term as an MLA, and I will do my best for my constituency... I will serve my people," the 25-year-old singer said.
Meanwhile, actor-singer Shatrughan Yadav aka Khesarilal Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal was trailing, with BJP's Chhoti Kumari maintaining the lead in his Chapra constituency.
Similar scenes were observed for Ritesh Pandey contesting with Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj ticket from Kargahar seat. Pandey is a popular actor in Bhojpuri movies but seems to be missing the mark in his political innings. With counting underway, he is placed fourth with 10, 811 votes around 5 pm, D(U)’s Bashisth Singh.