Silver Screen to Parliament: Actors Win Big in 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

New Delhi: Several celebrity faces emerged victorious in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, marking their debut or reaffirming their popularity in politics.

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut secured her first electoral win from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, defeating notable rivals. Ranaut expressed her commitment to public service post-election, sparking curiosity about her tenure as an MP.

Arun Govil, renowned for his role as Lord Ram in the iconic TV serial “Ramayan,” clinched victory in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, amidst a tight contest, leveraging his image to sway voters. Veteran actress and three-time MP Hema Malini retained her Mathura seat.

Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari secured his third consecutive win from North East Delhi, defeating his Congress opponent Kanhaiya Kumar. Ravi Kishan, another Bhojpuri cinema icon, retained his Gorakhpur seat, defeating rivals to serve a second term.

Suresh Gopi made significant inroads in Kerala by winning the Thrissur constituency. Shatrughan Sinha, contesting for the Trinamool Congress, emerged victorious in Asansol, West Bengal, signalling a shift in his political allegiance.

However, not all celebrity politicians fared well in the elections. Smriti Irani of the BJP lost to her Congress rival in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, while Dinesh Lal Yadav, known as Nirahua, was defeated by a Samajwadi Party candidate in Azamgarh.

In Andhra Pradesh, actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan secured victory in the Pithapuram Assembly seat, defeating his YSR Congress Party rival. Similarly, in West Bengal, TMC candidates like June Maliah and Dev Adhikary emerged triumphant in their respective constituencies.