Bollywood stars jump on the Modi bandwagon

Published November 6, 2013
Aamir Khan, left, and Amitabh Bacchan, right, at a movie premier in Mumbai, India. — Courtesy Photo
Aamir Khan, left, and Amitabh Bacchan, right, at a movie premier in Mumbai, India. — Courtesy Photo

Popular playback singer Lata Mangeshkar recently voiced her endorsement for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi on Friday, but as the Times of India reported, she isn’t the only Bollywood bigshot to jump on the Modi bandwagon.

Narendra Modi has been appealing via Twitter to Bollywood's top stars, who among others, include Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.

In a tweeted message Narendra M wrote: "Let’s encourage voter registration among 18-24-year-olds."

Although Aamir Khan has had vocal disagreements with Modi over the Narmada Dam, he also praised the "good work" being done in Gujarat, on a visit to Ahmedabad in the run-up to the release of 3 Idiots.

Modi has astutely realised the power of celebrity in India. Over the past few years, Modi, has had more than a few celebrities come on record in his praise or be more than willing to be counted on his side.

Mega star Amitab Bacchan, is today nationally recognised as the very visible brand ambassador for Modi's Gujarat.

His daughter-in-law and famed actor Aishwarya Rai has, at public functions in the state, made statements along the lines applauding the “success story” of Gujrat.

Ajay Devgan,a partner in a solar power project in Gujarat, has made no secret of how impressed he is with the CM and feels no pressure to couch his support for him.

"I don't really bother about that (fallouts of political proximity), because the fact is that I am not getting politically involved in anything,” he said. “My funda is clear. As far as business goes, he's a fabulous businessman, he's doing great for Gujarat.”

Anupam Kher, who set up his film school in Ahmedabad in 2009, has been another vocal proponent of Modi for some years.

"Let me tell you, media perceptions of Mr Modi are completely wrong,” he said. “He is misunderstood because he is outspoken. He is a politician destined for very big things."

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