In southern India, real life is always connected to the reel-life. Or vice-versa. Stars are adored and worshipped. Every move and utterance of theirs is closely watched. Be it Rajnikanth in Tamil Nadu or Chiranjeevi in Andhra Pradesh.
Maybe it is the larger-than-life characters they portray or their charisma, the actors in South are treated with God-like status.
Remember actress Khushboo? Ardent devotees -- not fans -- set up a temple in Tamil Nadu after her. The mass hysteria on the day a Rajnikanth movie releases has to be seen to be believed.
Cashing in on the popularity, many actors -- and other film personalities -- plunged into politics. The rest is history.
As Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi announces his formal entry into politics, we present some other film stars who made it big in politics.
Can Chiranjeevi make it? The answer will be known in the next Assembly polls which, the superstar claims, will be won by his party with a two-third majority.
While Chranjeevi's political fate will be revealed a few months later, take a look at those who have already made the cut.
Happy viewing!
Image: Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi offers pooja at Lord Venkateshwera Temple at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.
Photographs: Snaps India
Also read: Chiranjeevi's grand entry into politics
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