There is a deep relationship between being a politician and being an actor. A good actor stops being in character once he’s not in front of the camera. The same may not be true for politicians.
So, to emphasize the connection between politics and Bollywood, we bring you 11 Bollywood actors who were also successful politicians.
HEMA MALINI
Hema Malini, who played the iconic role of Bansati in Sholay, was elected the Member of the Lok Sabha from B.J.P for the first time. She is currently a MP from B.J.P. from Mathura.
Jaya Prada
Jaya Prada is an Indian film actress and politician. She is the recipient of two Filmfare awards and has starred in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi films. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Rampur from 2004 to 2014. She was one of the most successful actresses of her time. She left the film industry at the peak of her career.
SMRITI IRANI
Smriti Zubin Irani is an Indian politician, former model, television actress and producer. Irani is a Member of Parliament, being elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state of Gujarat. She is the current Information and Broadcasting and Textiles Minister in the Government of India.
SHABANA AZMI
Shabana Azmi is an Indian actress of film, television and theatre. The daughter of poet Kaifi Azmi and stage actress Shaukat Azmi, she is an alumna of Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. She is the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA). In appreciation of Azmi’s life and works, the President of India gave her a nominated (unelected) membership of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament.