Bollywood is playing a lead role in Modi’s campaign for a second term, endorsing him on-screen and off, in both subtle and obvious ways, in a marked shift from the more transactional relationship Indian film stars previously had with politicians. Biggest hitBeyond social media, Bollywood has released three movies with lead actors in prime ministerial roles this year. The film released the same weekend as “The Accidental Prime Minister”, based on an unauthorised biography of Modi’s predecessor, Manmohan Singh. Traditionally, Bollywood stars functioned as crowd-pullers at the odd election rally, often for remuneration. Though many later took the plunge into politics, no political party has deployed them as subliminal brand ambassadors before.

Source: Pakistan Today April 10, 2019 06:56 UTC