Elections 2024: Are Ollywood Stars Losing Their Spell Over Political Turf In Odisha?

Bhubaneswar: Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha are always prominently decorated by glamorous celebrities from the tinsel world who add a dash of colour and glitz to the stage.

With announcement of the complete schedule for the twin elections, it is again going to be showtime in Odisha as many Ollywood stars are set to hit the poll arena. While some of them are likely to jump into the fray to fight the elections, others will add glamor and glitz by campaigning for different political parties.

However, one has to wait and see how many cine-stars are going to take a plunge into active politics and contest either Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in the state this time. A close look at the history of Odisha politics shows that not many from silver screen have been able to gain major achievement in politics.

All major political parties, including BJP, BJD and Congress, have many cine-stars, actors, musicians, and singers and their list is quite long. Of late, jatra artists have also hit the political turf. However, one wonders as to how many of them would be able to secure party tickets to fight the elections this time.

Ollywood star Anubhav Mohanty was fielded by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Pitted against Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Baijayant Panda in Kendrapara, the actor-turned-politician emerged victorious to become a Parliamentarian.

However, chances of his being re-nominated by BJD looks grim this time as he seems to have been sidelined by the ruling party following his family dispute. In all probability, BJD may nominate former MLA Anshuman Mohanty, who quit Congress and joined the ruling party recently, for Kendrapada seat.

Similar was the story of another Ollywood star Siddhanta Mahapatra, who had defeated political heavyweight Chandra Sekhar Sahu in Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency after being fielded by BJD. He represented Berhampur from 2009 to 2019 after winning two successive Lok Sabha polls. However, After Chandra Sekhar Sahu quit Congress and joined BJD, the ruling party fielded him as its candidate from Berhampur, denying ticket to Siddhanta. The actor is not to be seen in any BJD programmes and meetings. There are speculations about his being nominated by BJD to contest from Gopalpur, but nothing can be confirmed at this juncture.

The fate of another cine-star Arindam also seems to be hanging in balance. After remaining in BJD since 2009, he quit the ruling party recently and joined BJP after apprehending denial of ticket for the upcoming elections. Arindam is stated to be an aspirant for Barabati-Cuttack Assembly seat. Another popular actor Sritam Das, who was BJP nominee for Mayoral election in Cuttack in 2022, is also said to be eyeing for the seat.

Actor Akash Dasnayak was elected from Korei Assembly constituency in Jajpur district in 2014. However, he was denied BJD ticket in 2019 elections. Akash is hopeful of getting party ticket this time.

BJD’s Shreemayee Mishra, who has taken a plunge into politics after saying good bye to acting, is now considered a frontline leader of the ruling party. If BJD fields her in high-profile Bhubaneswar, she will take on sitting MP and BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi for the Lok Sabha seat.

Another film personality Manoj Mishra, who joined Congress recently, is hopeful of getting ticket to contest from Balangir Lok Sabha constituency. BJP’s Pinki Pradhan, who lost in Digapahandi in last elections, is unlikely to get ticket this time.

Veteran film personality and senior BJD leader Prashant Nanda appears to have taken retirement from politics after the end of his tenure as Rajya Sabha member. While Kuna Tripathy happens to be the chairman of Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC), Munna Khan is now a Rajya Sabha MP.

Though cine personalities continue to be favourites in politics in several parts of the country, particularly in south Indian states, not many of them have been successful in political sphere in Odisha.