New Delhi: Many film stars have taken to politics but for some political leaders in Kerala it is virtually the opposite.
Debutant Malayalam director K K Simon has roped in six political leaders and legislators in his suspense thriller K K Road, which would hit theatres next month.
The film is based on contemporary issues with former BJP leader C K Padmanabhan donning the chief minister's role while P C George is the opposition leader, MLAs V N Vasavan and T N Pratapan appear as ministers and Congress (S) leader T N Pradeep Kumar is the inspector general.
And the list doesn’t end there. Former state minister and IUML leader M K Muneer has lent his voice for a song in the film.
According to Padmanabhan he is not interested in taking up acting as a profession but he is open to good scripts and characters. Now does that ring a bell?
That’s not all, Congress leader from Kerala, Rajmohan Unnithan's three films have already been released. Works on three more films are progressing and are expected to hit the box-office soon.
With ample experience of acting in dramas at school and college levels, Unnithan is not averse to appearing in the role of a villain as he finds his audiences mature enough to appreciate his performance as an actor rather than associating him with the character.
Unnithan, who has also acted in professional plays in late 70s, knows the strength and reach of the medium.
“When I address a political gathering, I reach out to a maximum of 3,000 people. But films go to lakhs of people, that too of different age groups. I was enthralled when even small children approached me for autograph. Film has enhanced my popularity at least ten times,” Unnithan told PTI.
Meanwhile, MLA P C George, known for his fiery disposition inside the Kerala Assembly, is not bothered about his political image suffering any setback due to the negative roles in films.
And filmmakers find it beneficial to rope in politicians. Most of them work for free and their presence itself lends publicity to the film.
"The film producers can be assured of a set of audience – the politician's supporters and his party members,” said George, who represents Poonjar in Kottayam district in the state assembly.
But Padmanabhan is worried about the usual portrayal of politicians in films as corrupt opportunists. He believes entry of real-time politicians will bring about a change, leading to a much more sensitive and "real" portrayal of leaders.
(With inputs from PTI)
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