Kharaj Mukherjee Slams Actors Entering Politics

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KOLKATA – As West Bengal grapples with its multi-phase assembly elections, popular Tollywood actor Kharaj Mukherjee has voiced profound disillusionment with the state’s contemporary political landscape, lamenting a stark departure from the idealistic politics of his childhood. Mukherjee’s comments come amidst the ongoing electoral battle, with the first phase already concluded and the second scheduled for April 29.

Mukherjee, a veteran of Bengali cinema, described himself as politically aware since his inaugural vote, but now feels mentally disengaged from politics due to the current state of affairs. He contrasted his formative years, when politics was perceived as a realm of ideals requiring education and discussed by elders, with the present, where it appears solely driven by power and financial gain.

“My age is advancing, and I sustain my family through acting,” Mukherjee stated, adding that the instability and lack of ideals in contemporary society are “eroding the cherished memories of my childhood.” He also questioned the pervasive violence around elections, asking why online voting isn’t implemented when so many other aspects of life have moved online.

He vividly recalled his first-hand experience with elections in the 1970s, a period that, despite state instability, was distinctly different from today. Election days then carried a “holiday spirit.” He remembered going to polling stations with his father, where polling officers would affectionately greet him, asking if he wished to vote. After he nodded, they would playfully apply electoral ink to his nail, a gesture that filled him with excitement and made him feel like an adult. These visits involved friendly conversations with officials while his father cast his ballot, devoid of the commotion and disputes prevalent today.

The actor painted a grim picture of present-day elections, describing the act of voting as “going to a battlefield.” He spoke of armed personnel on the streets and outside polling booths, with firearms pointed, implying that “a minor misstep could lead to danger.” He added, “The reality now is that innocent lives may be lost, but the election must go on.”

Mukherjee also observed a significant shift in campaign strategies and the profile of politicians. He recalled a time when campaigns involved loudspeakers in neighbourhoods and public rallies. Now, he sees only “arguments on social media and television.” He noted that politicians of his youth were either hardworking individuals or well-educated, a stark contrast to the current influx of actors into politics.

He expressed strong reservations about actors entering the political arena, questioning their qualifications. “To do anything properly, one needs to learn it,” he argued, “but running a country seems to require no such education.” Mukherjee conveyed his deep disillusionment, stating he finds it difficult to acknowledge many current leaders, legislators, and ministers—some of whom are former actors—as his peers. He also questioned why political leaders now heavily rely on actors for support, articulating a pervasive sense of disgust.