Every regime in Delhi has its favourite actors. For the Narendra Modi government it is Akshay Kumar, the action star of Hindi cinema. Apart from his action and comedy films, Akshay Kumar matches the muscular approach of the BJP and the social hygiene projects of the prime minister. The macho star who is also known for stunt and reality game shows on television has been a good samaritan to the central paramilitary forces. He offered relief and support to the families of martyred jawans from the Central Reserve Police Force.
Apart from being a brand ambassador for the paramilitary, he has also been a frontline volunteer for Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign. His previous movie, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, highlighted the need for toilets in every home, and, now, his new movie, Pad Man, deals with menstrual hygiene.
A Delhi native, he regularly visits Delhi and the BJP bigwigs are glad to have him over. Akshay Kumar’s father-in-law, Rajesh Khanna, was India’s first superstar and also, briefly, a Congress MP. Akshay Kumar has avoided being seen in overtly political events, preferring to be the good samaritan and campaigner for social causes. He has refrained from any negative comment which can be considered political, and instead oozes goodness. But, the top leadership of the BJP feels that Kumar needs to be rewarded. There are suggestions, when actress Rekha completes her Rajya Sabha term (she has hardly attended sessions), Akshay Kumar may get nominated, so that he can keep up his non-political image. There are also suggestions that he would be a good choice to contest for the Lok Sabha in 2019, especially from Punjab. His movie Singh is Kinng, had smashed box office records, and was a frequently used newspaper headline, when Manmohan Singh won a majority for the UPA in 2009.
Illustration: Bhaskaran
Another film star admired by the top BJP leadership is Manoj Kumar, who made super-patriotic films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. Upkar, his biggest blockbuster, was conceived after a meeting with then prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The prime minister had coined the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ to inspire the nation during the 1965 war with Pakistan, and it became the theme for the eponymous film in which Manoj Kumar played the role of Bharat. Manoj Kumar, who was neglected by the Congress government, was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke award for his contribution to Indian Cinema in 2016. Now, Akshay’s turn for recognition may be around the corner.
sachi@theweek.in
