Tamil Heroes in politics - Special Slide Show

We are experiencing a time when politics entertains and thrills more than the movie running in theaters near you. Here we take a look at some of Kollywood heroes stint as politicians or effecting politics on screen.

Cho Ramaswamy - 'Muhamad Bin Tuglaq'

Cho is synonymous with politics and just imagine what impact he has made with his satire 'Muhamad Bin Tuglaq' which he also directed drawing parallels between the bumbling Arab king and Indian politics of the 60s.

Sivaji Ganesan - 'Enn Tamizh Enn Makkal'

People considered the Nadigar Thilagam the King when it came to acting, but they however did not accept him as a politician. 'Enn Tamizh Enn Makkal' had Sivaji as an honest politician and was aimed to promote his party Tamizhaga Munnettra Munnani but the film and the party failed to make it.

Rajinikanth - 'Baba'

In this socio-political-fantasy drama that has screenplay by Superstar Rajinikanth himself, the climax is entirely devoted to politics much like the present situation in the state and Baba uses his magical powers to get an honest politician in the CM seat. Unfortunately the honest statesman is murdered and Baba himself has to return from the Himalayas to save the people. Anybody buying?.

Kamal Haasan - 'Indran Chandran'

The versatile Kamal Haasan played a corrupt Mayor who misuses his office for personal gains and how he is defeated by a lookalike forms the rest of the story directed by Suresh Krishna.

Vijayakanth - 'Thennavan'

The Puratchi Kalaigniar even before making a big impact in politics acted as the Chief Election Commissioner fighting corrupt politician in 'Thennavan' while most of his films after this were promotional vehicles for his political ambitions.

Sathyaraj - 'Amaidhi Padai', 'Thaai Maaman' and 'Maha Nadigan'

One can safely say that Sathyaraj under the baton of his good friend Manivannan is the crowd favorite when it comes to satirizing politics and who can forget his Ammavasai in 'Amaithi Padai' and later the reluctant MLA in 'Thaai Maaman' and the corrupt actor turned politician in 'Maha Nadigan'.

Mammootty - 'Makkal Aatchi'

Director R.K. Selvamani gave one of the biggest hits for Mammootty in Tamil with 'Makkal Aatchi' in which he plays a corrupt opportunist who becomes the CM but later takes on the evil forces for the people.

Mohanlal - 'Iruvar'

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal got to play the one and only MGR under Mani Ratnam's direction in 'Iruvar' which spoke about the legends relationship with Kaligniar Karunanidhi played by Prakash Raj.

Arjun - 'Mudhalvan'

Director Shankar made Arjun a one day chief minister in 'Mudhalvan' and even today one yearns for such a real hero who could give his all for the people instead of politicians serving their own personal agendas.

Murali - 'Desiya Geetham'

Director Cheran boldly made the film about his hero Murali kidnapping the CM and his family and forcing them to live like ordinary people know their hardships. Can such a film ever be released today? There were whispers that Nassar's character was modeled on Karunanidhi the then Chief Minister. Him being the Kalaigniar the film was allowed to release and went on to become a hit.

Guru Somasundaram - 'Joker'

The integral part of politics is the nameless picketers, protestors and public interest litigators. Raju Murugan delightfully created a hero amongst them and Guru Somasundaram rocks as none other than the President of India.

Karthi - 'Madras'

Pa Ranjith's take on the politics of the North Chennai residents is one of the best in the genre ever made. Karthi as the reluctant friend of a politician Kalaiarasan gets sucked into the machinery after the latter is killed.

Vikram - 'Pudhiya Mannargal'

Director Vikraman placed student uprising as the core plot in 1994 itself with a relatively lesser known Vikram as the leader. The film had A.R. Rahman's music but did not fare well at the box office considering the director' track record.

Ajith - 'Ji'

Imagine, Thala as a student leader who later on attracting the masses and gets elected as an MLA. Getting goosebumps? Well that is 'Ji' for you. What are you waiting for go grab your DVDs for a retro watch.

Suriya & Maddy - 'Aayudha Ezhuthu'

Mani Ratnam directed Suriya as the student leader Michael and also wrote an author backed role for Maddy as Inba the political thug. Both the stars sizzled and the final scene when Suriya goes to the Assembly as an MLA with his young brigade brushing aside Bharathiraja will remind you of the Jallikattu Uprising. Mani the Visionary!

Dhanush & Trisha 'Kodi'

In this political thriller Dhanush and Trisha played lovers who belong to opposite parties and how the ambitions of one of them destroys their lives.

Vijay Antony - 'Yaman'

The just released 'Yaman' is the story of how a common man Vijay Antony who ascends the political throne by using betrayal against the betrayers.

We are experiencing a time when politics entertains and thrills more than the movie running in theaters near you. Here we take a look at some of Kollywood heroes stint as politicians or effecting politics on screen.