Knock of the Fading Starlets

India’s ageing starlets are finding a second career, and the transition should be smooth—from potboilers to politics.

Politics is not a sanctuary for only fading superstars like Dharmendra or Vinod Khanna. Come election time in Maharashtra, starlets and artistes, ageing ones at that, like Nagma, Kunika Lal and Ketaki Dave, are knocking on the doors of political parties for a ticket.

Bollywood actress Nagma, born Nandita Morarji, stakes her claim on the basis of having actively campaigned for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh in the 2004 Assembly polls. She used to be a big name in the south, having acted in successful Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films. She then switched over to Bhojpuri, Bengali and Punjabi films and, lately Marathi movies. Daughter of a Hindu father and a Muslim mother, Nagma is a Born Again Christian. One Congress leader, who didn’t want to be named, rather uncharitably remarked that she is banking on sharing Sonia’s religion to swing her a ticket. In 2007, Nagma had in fact been recommended for a Rajya Sabha seat from Andhra Pradesh but turned it down because her career in regional films was booming. She already speaks like a Congress candidate. “My parents belonged to different faiths and I was brought up to respect all religions. I was deeply hurt by the communal riots. I wanted to do something for the people. I joined politics as it is the most effective way of helping people,” said Nagma, after her interview before the Congress screening committee recently.

The twice-married Kunika Lal has been involved with Aids awareness programmes for a decade. She is a businesswoman and has set up a chain of restaurants called Ten: The Happy Bistro in the Mumbai suburbs. “People know me and I am a popular actor. I am also involved in welfare activities. I will win and help the Congress,” she says.

Ketaki Dave, nee Joshi, from the popular TV serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is also in the race for a Congress ticket. But she does not appear to be particular about the party and is reported to be amenable to any party that is willing to nominate her.

CongressMaharashtra electionsticket