Of politics, drama and comedy

India has a long history of actors entering politics. In southern India, names such as N.T Rama Rao (better known as NTR), M.G Ramachandran (MGR), Jayalalitha and Vijaykanth are well-known among the people. Their dialogues and antics on the silver screen, such as saving the poor from the greedy and powerful, fighting for the rights of the people, inspired the masses, giving them hope and inspiration for a better change.

Take MGR for example. A decade before he ventured into serious politics, the propaganda had already begun. Movies such as Aaiyrathil Oruvan (One in a Thousand) and Naam Naadu (Our Nation) were some of the movies that portrayed him as a leader of the people. His fame and style on the silver screen continue to make him revered as a God not just in India but countries like Malaysia and Singapore, especially in the 1970s and 1980s.

In recent times, the trend has changed. Today it is not just the silver screen heroes and heroines who ventured into politics. Actors like Radha Ravi who are well-known for his antagonist roles in films and actor-comedian Karunas who kept his audience in stitches with his antics, have transitioned into politics in India and continue to stay in the limelight.

Back home, we too have celebrities, artists and even comedians joining politics, having transitioned from the world of entertainment to the realm of politics.

In the current state elections, one of the candidates - actor, comedian and businessman S.Gana is perhaps the most recognised name and face in the Indian community.

Gana is facing three corner fight in Subang Jaya - Michelle Ng Mei Sze (Pakatan Harapan) and Zayd Shaukat Ali (Muda). His earlier avatar as a comedian and actor and his locally-made movies have given him the recognition that he needed among the Indian community.

But is this enough to attract the voters of Subang Jaya? When met, Gana admitted that it is an uphill task to convince the voters of Subang Jaya that he should be given an opportunity to represent them. The incumbent Michelle Ng is a lawyer who had won the state seat with a 48,272 majority, against the MCA and PAS candidate.

“This is a very urban seat, the voters are very matured and involved in the process of democracy,” said Gana who is most known for his Tamil VCD movies which were widely sold during the Thaipusam celebration.

With his dark looks, and a mass of curly hair, Gana looks like any ordinary Indian man on the street. When this writer interviewed Gana many years ago, he admitted that he often was rejected for film opportunities back in the days because of his looks.

“I once approached a well-known filmmaker and asked for an opportunity to act in his movies.

But he laughed at my face and told me I will never make it. I was dejected but I took those words seriously and thus began my journey, producing my own films. And I never looked back since then,” he had said.

“Even now, people remember me as a comedian and actor. This is something they often remind me of during the times I walk around and meet people. The question often on people’s minds and lips is what can a comedian do for us?,” he said.

Public perception plays a crucial role in politics. For Gana, who is best known for his ability to make people laugh and his notable characters as Kampung Kuttuva (head of the village) and his role as a loving dad in Appalam, it is going to be an uphill battle to get people to take him seriously enough. He needs to project the right image, as a competent leader who is not just empathetic, but also aligned with their values, interests and needs.

But in a country where leaders like Tun Samy Vellu who was once a stage and theater artist not only made a name for himself among the Indian community but also Malaysians in general, Gana might have a chance too.

Suganthi Suparmaniam is a former journalist and has authored The Story of Bentong Kali: Crime & Society in 90s Kuala Lumpur and Between the Cracks.

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily