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Films and then politics – these are two things that actors in India vouch for as their career options. After trying their luck in movies, many celebrities have contested elections on different parties' tickets. Some even formed their own parties. Many of them took political plunge after failing to do much in tenure in films. The latest and biggest name to take the political plunge is Thalaivaa or Rajinikanth. Let's have a look at who others have taken the political plunge before Rajinikanth and what happened to their political careers:
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Rajinikanth: On December 31 last, Rajinikanth gave his fans a big and happy surprise as he announced his decision to join active politics with a new party. He said that his party would contest in all 234 Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies. (PTI image)
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Amitabh Bachchan: The Shahenshah of Bollywood took a break from movies in 1984 and contested Lok Sabha elections from his hometurf Allahabad. But, he soon realised that politics was not his cup of tea and resigned after three years. (PTI image)
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Jayalalithaa: Late Tamil Nadu chief minister, who passed away on December 5, 2016, joined politics under the guidance of AIADMK founder M. G. Ramachandran. Jayalalithaa served six terms as chief minister of the state between 1991 and 2016. (Reuters image)
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M.G. Ramachandran: Fondly known as MGR, this late Tamil actor floated All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and was the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for 10 years between 1977 and 1987. He had already served Congress and DMK. (IE image)
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Rajesh Khanna: The superstar of the 70s, Rajesh Khanna too tried his luck in politics. He was the Congress Member of Parliament from New Delhi. He won the elections in 1992, but quit after retaining his seat till 1996. (IE image)
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Vinod Khanna: This late actor was appointed as the Culture and Tourism Minister for BJP in July 2002. After six months, he was appointed the minister of state for external affairs. Vinod Khanna was an MP from Punjab's Gurdaspur from 1998-2009 and 2014-2017. (IE image)
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Sunil Dutt: The late Sunil Dutt joined the Congress in 1984 and was elected as member of Parliament from Mumbai. He served as minister of youth affairs and sports from 2004-2005. (IE image)
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Shatrughan Sinha: Shatrughan Sinha entered politics by contesting in by-election opposite Rajesh Khanna in 1991, which he lost. He has served as Union minister of health and family welfare and shipping for BJP government. (PTI image)
Hema Malini: Bollywood's dream girl has been part of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as a representative of the BJP. She officially joined BJP in 2004 and was appointed as the general secretary of the BJP. Hema Malini is now the MP from Mathura constituency. (PTI image) -
Govinda: The energetic actor joined the Congress in 2004 and was elected to Lok Sabha from Mumbai. In 2008, he chose not to contest the elections and went back to Bollywood. (PTI image)
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