NEW DELHI: The upcoming Bihar Assembly elections are shaping up to be a dazzling, star-studded contest, as nearly every major political party is enlisting Bhojpuri film and music celebrities to connect with voters. The entry of these popular entertainment figures has infused the political battleground with glamour, excitement, and a new level of intrigue.
The return of Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh has amplified the buzz surrounding the elections. Singh has confirmed that he will actively campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), using his mass appeal and stardom to reach out to voters across the state. While he recently announced that he would not personally contest the elections, he reaffirmed his allegiance to the party, describing himself as “a true soldier of the BJP.”
In an attempt to leverage the influence of Bhojpuri cinema, the BJP has included several iconic figures Pawan Singh, Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’, Manoj Tiwari, and Ravi Kishan in its list of star campaigners. These artists command tremendous admiration, particularly among Bihar’s middle-class, lower-middle-class, and rural population. By bringing these well-known faces to the forefront, the BJP aims to emotionally connect with their massive fan base and translate entertainment fame into electoral momentum.
Adding more glamour to its campaign, the BJP has also fielded folk singing prodigy Maithili Thakur from the Alinagar constituency, ending days of speculation around her political debut. Following the announcement, Thakur expressed gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility, saying, “I want to carry forward the culture of my region, and if politics gives me this opportunity, nothing would be more important to me. I don’t want to enter politics just to do politics — I want to serve my region.” She further added, “I want to serve Bihar. I have been doing this through my folk songs, and that is why I didn’t want to go abroad.”
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has also entered the star race by nominating Bhojpuri singer-actor Ritesh Pandey as its candidate from the Kargahar constituency. Explaining his decision to enter politics, Pandey said, “I’ve been involved in social work for quite some time and wish to change the image of Bihar. When I went to Mumbai for the first time, I noticed the discrimination faced by Biharis there. Since then, I decided to make people aware of issues surrounding migration. If we get good opportunities here, why would we need to migrate?”
Ritesh Pandey has built his campaign around the slogan “Siksha bahut zaruri ba” (education is very important), highlighting education and migration as the central themes of his electoral outreach. His message resonates deeply with young voters and migrant families seeking better livelihoods within Bihar.
The celebrity wave doesn’t stop there. A number of Bhojpuri film and music stars including Radheshyam Rasiya, Akshara Singh, and Jyotika Singh have extended their support to various parties. In a major development, Bhojpuri megastar Khesari Lal Yadav has joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and his wife, Chanda Yadav, will contest the Assembly elections from Chhapra, a move expected to strengthen RJD’s base.
At the same time, popular Bhojpuri singer Radheshyam Rasiya is also preparing to contest the state elections. Although he was initially slated to contest the Lok Sabha elections from West Champaran last year, the plan did not materialize. Nonetheless, Rasiya has reiterated his determination to participate in the Bihar Assembly elections, emphasizing that he would contest “no matter what,” reflecting his persistence to carve a niche in politics.
Political analysts believe the rise of Bhojpuri stars in politics underscores Bihar’s strong cultural bond with regional cinema. Aditya Rathi told The Sunday Guardian that although these celebrities enjoy huge popularity among lower and working-class voters, it rarely converts into electoral wins. Unlike South India, where film icons often sustain political careers, Bihar has seen few such successes Shatrughan Sinha being the notable exception.
As the elections near, Rathi said all major parties are banking on the charisma of these stars to sway voters. With glitz and drama taking center stage, Bihar’s poll battle increasingly mirrors a Bhojpuri blockbuster, blending entertainment with politics to shape public sentiment.
