Patna: As Bihar gears up for the assembly elections, the campaign trail is set to glitter with star power. Bhojpuri cinema figures, long a fixture of the state’s cultural and political landscape, are preparing either to contest seats themselves or to campaign for rival alliances.
Film stars in Bihar politics are not a new phenomenon. Shatrughan Sinha twice represented Patna Sahib in the Lok Sabha, while director Prakash Jha, television star Shekhar Suman, and Bhojpuri actor Kunal Singh have all tried their electoral luck in the past.
This year, Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh is once again at the centre of speculation. After finishing second as an independent in the Karakat Lok Sabha contest, Singh is said to be weighing a run from Barhara, Ara, or Karakat. Though in talks with the BJP, he is more likely to contest independently. His wife, Jyoti Singh, has also expressed interest in contesting, possibly from Dehri or Karakat.
Singer-actor Ritesh Pandey, who rose to fame with his viral hit Hello Kaun, recently joined Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party and may contest from Kargahar or Bhabua. Sitting Lauriya MLA and lyricist Vinay Bihari will also be in the fray once again.
Meanwhile, BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kishan, along with former MP Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua), will campaign for NDA candidates, while Khesari Lal Yadav may lend his support to RJD candidates, though his own chances of contesting remain slim.
Despite the glamour, history shows that cinematic fame rarely guarantees electoral success. Suman, Jha, and Kunal Singh all faced defeats in previous contests. Yet, their presence continues to add drama to Bihar’s political theatre, drawing crowds and media attention alike.
