PremiumAfter Suresh Gopi’s thumping victory, here are other Malayalam actors who have tasted success in politics
Other than Suresh Gopi, Malayalam actors Innocent, Mukesh and Ganesh Kumar have tasted success in politics
Mukesh, Suresh Gopi, Innocent
Last Updated: 12.05 PM, Jun 06, 2024
A day after the 2024 Lok Sabha election results were announced, political pundits and laymen are still busy comparing notes and analysing the impact. But down south in Kerala, actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi made all the news as he secured a thumping victory in Thrissur, opening the NDA account in the state. But his victory has also another significance - he is the first actor who had the clout of a superstar to win a major election in Kerala. Suresh Gopi joins the rather short list of Malayalam actors who have tasted success in the political arena.
Unlike their counterparts in other South industries, Malayalam actors are not too eager to enter the political fray as the people in Kerala are not generally kind to such ventures. MG Ramachandran (popularly known as MGR) in Tamil Nadu and N T Rama Rao in Andhra Pradesh are shining examples of screen icons emerging as powerful political leaders. But God’s own Country adamantly refused to follow this path but has shown some leeway in the recent past.
Among those who have tried their hand in politics, Innocent, Mukesh and Ganesh Kumar are the major names who have tasted success.
Malayalam actors who became successful politicians
Mukesh
Mukesh, who is still admired for his performances in Siddique Lal's Godfather and Ramji Rao Speaking, is an MLA in Kerala. He did contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but registered a sorry defeat. Though a bankable actor and much loved for his comedy timing, Mukesh’s name doesn’t usually crop up on the list of superstars in Mollywood. He has moved on to supporting roles in recent years and played the role of Fahadh Faasil's father in Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum. He will be seen next in Iyer in Arabia alongside Urvashi.
Ganesh Kumar
Ganesh Kumar, who made his debut with KG George’s Irakal, has had several memorable roles in the films. His most recent known outings are in the Jeethu Joseph-Mohanlal films - Neru and Drishyam 2. The political innings of Ganesh Kumar was almost a given as he is the son of former Minister R Balakrishna Pillai. Ganesh Kumar entered the political ring during the early 2000s and has had several terms as MLA and was also served as Minister under various governments. He is currently the Transport Minister in Kerala.
Innocent
Late actor Innocent was much loved for his comedy performances but has also had several memorable character roles in his filmography. He is best known for his roles in Ramji Rao Speaking, Kilukkam, Godfather, Vietnam Colony, Manichitrathazhu, and Kalyanaraman. The former president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) was no stranger to organisational responsibilities. But the much-loved comedy actor tried his hand in politics way back when he got elected as the municipality councilor in Irinjalakuda, his hometown. But his major political innings started when he contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Chalakudy as an independent candidate, backed by the Left in Kerala.He won and made his presence felt in the Lower House of Parliament. A cancer patient, Innocent used his political clout to raise awareness about the deadly disease and the assistance needed. His speeches in Malayalam in Parliament made waves on social media and were quite a sensation almost a decade ago. Fahadh Faasil's Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum and Prithviraj Sukumaran's Kaduva were among his last outings in Malayalam.
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopi is an actor who was considered to be on par with the big Ms of the Malayalam industry - Mammootty and Mohanlal - during the 90s. His stellar cop roles in Commissioner and Ekalavyan, among others, sealed his place as a star in the Malayalam film industry. After some unremarkable performances post-2000, he made a strong comeback with Varane Avashyamund, where he reunited with Shobana. Dulquer Salmaan and Kalyani Priyadarshan were also part of this delightful film, directed by Anoop Sathyan.