JOIN USFilm glamour has been an inseparable part of Andhra Pradesh politics ever since Telugu matinee idol N T Rama Rao stormed into power within nine months of floating the Telugu Desam Party in 1983.
In tune with the long tradition, the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will see several popular film stars either entering the poll fray or campaigning for parties. What has added to the drama is the expected “star wars” between two brothers—“Mega star” and Union Minister K Chiranjeevi, and “Power star” Pawan Kalyan.
While the 43-year-old Kalyan, with a huge fan following among youth, recently launched the “Jana Sena” party and vowed to rid the state of the Congress, his elder brother, a veteran of 149 films, has been made the Congress' campaign head in Seemandhra, a region that is witnessing massive public anger against the ruling party for dividing the state. The other members of Chiranjeevi's family, including son Ramcharan Teja, brother Nagababu and nephew Allu Arjun, all actors, are backing him, while Kalyan, known for his quirky temperament and aloofness, is charting his own political course. He has pledged support to the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, and is believed to be in talks with the saffron party for a poll alliance.
All parties are keen to have their fair share of celluloid glamour. Popular yesteryear actor and MP Vijayashanti is seeking re-election from Medak in the Telangana region.