Patna: In a meeting that underscored the growing intersection of politics and regional entertainment in Bihar, Bhojpuri actor Akshara Singh met the state’s newly appointed health minister, Nishant Kumar, at his residence in Patna.
Photographs from the meeting, shared by Kumar on social media, quickly circulated online, drawing attention both for their informal tone and for the political symbolism attached to the encounter.
The images showed Singh arriving with a box of sweets to congratulate the minister following his induction into the cabinet. In one photograph, she was seen offering sweets to Kumar, while another captured a lighter moment in which she appeared to ask someone nearby to take a photograph using her mobile phone. Kumar, meanwhile, was holding a bouquet presented during the visit.
Posting the images online, Kumar described Singh as “a daughter of Bihar and a renowned actress of Bhojpuri cinema”. He added that the two had discussed Bihar’s development as well as the promotion of films made in Bhojpuri and other regional languages.
According to people familiar with the meeting, the discussion extended beyond a routine courtesy call and touched on ways to strengthen the state’s cultural identity through support for regional cinema.
Kumar, the son of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, has recently emerged as a prominent figure within the Janata Dal (United). He was inducted into the cabinet during the latest reshuffle under chief minister Samrat Choudhary and was assigned the health portfolio.
Singh’s appearance alongside political figures has also drawn attention in the past. She had earlier participated in events linked to political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj campaign, where her public appearance wearing a yellow gamcha prompted discussion on social media and in political circles.
One of the most recognisable faces in Bhojpuri cinema, Singh began her acting career with the 2010 film Satyamev Jayate opposite Ravi Kishan. Alongside acting, she has built a career as a singer and television personality, becoming one of the industry’s highest-paid performers.
Often referred to by fans as the “Sherni” of Bhojpuri cinema, Singh has frequently made headlines for her outspoken comments on women’s issues and Bihari cultural identity.
