There was a time when actors like Aamir Khan got into trouble with Gujuratis over films like 'Fanaa', 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Taare Zameen Par.' Aamir's criticism of Narmada project and the Gujarat chief minister Narinder Modi made headlines. 'Parzania' was informally 'banned' and no theatre in Gujarat had screened it.

Now when Narendra Modi appeals via Twitter to Bollywood's top stars - including Aamir - to encourage youngsters to vote, and Lata Mangeshkar's ringing endorsement of his candidature for prime ministership gets talked about for days. The reactions of surprise to her statement were not so much about what her political preferences are, but that she opted to spell them out in public. Usually, the first we publicly hear of which political line a Bollywood celebrity clearly supports is when he or she is declared as the party's candidate for an electoral seat, or when his/her cine career is for all practical purposes over and he/she is looking at a 'second innings'. Otherwise - unlike Hollywood - few cine icons here venture to take a political stand while practicing their craft full-time.

Over the past few years, Modi, however, has had more than a few celebs from glamour land come on record in his praise or be more than willing to be counted on his side. Aamir's praise of the "good work" being done in Gujarat, on a visit to Ahmedabad in the run-up to the release of 3 Idiots, got some attention, given his run-ins with the state's administration earlier. After that, he hasn't made a comment on Modi in the recent past, so that would count as a sort of rapprochement.

The industry's tallest figure, Amitabh Bachchan, was once a member of the UP development council and ambassador of the state, in the days of friendlier ties with Amar Singh. He'd come in pre-election ads declaring that UP mein "jurm kam hai", and was often present at electoral rallies of the Samajwadi Party with 'elder brother' Mulayam. Despite Modi and Mulayam being at opposing, unfriendly poles of the political spectrum, Big B is today nationally recognized as the very visible brand ambassador for Modi's Gujarat, even as Jaya continues to be an SP MP. Aishwarya has, at public functions in the state, without naming Modi, made statements along the lines of "I salute the success story of Gujarat."

Ajay Devgn, who is a partner in a solar power project in Gujarat, has made no secret of how impressed he is with the leadership style of the state's CM. When asked last year about not being wary of being seen to be pro-Modi, given that stars avoid being branded as being close to specific parties, he'd responded, "I don't really bother about that (fallouts of political proximity), because the fact is that I am not getting politically involved in anything. My funda is clear. As far as business goes, he's a fabulous businessman, he's doing great for Gujarat. So I don't see a problem, why would anyone? Baaki politics hamari samajh mein aata nahi hai, aur na humko samajhna hai."

Anupam Kher, who set up his cine school, Actor Prepares, in Ahmedabad in 2009 - has been a vocal supporter of Modi for some years. In 2008, following a special screening of A Wednesday for Modi, he told the media, "Let me tell you, media perceptions of Mr Modi are completely wrong. He is misunderstood because he is outspoken. He is a politician destined for very big things." Kher is also an outspoken advocate for issues involving displaced Kashmiri Pandits, a cause which has the BJP's undisguised sympathy.


While no political lines can be read into this, many other Bollywood stars have dropped in for 'courtesy visits' or to discuss investment in the state during Modi's tenure as CM. According to media reports over the years, among these are Preity Zinta (for a proposed film and entertainment park), Vivek Oberoi (ditto), Arbaaz Khan (for the shooting of Dabangg 2), Sanjay Dutt (for a proposed film city), Suneil Shetty (water sports on the Sabarmati), Jackie Shroff andAkshay Kumar.

One starlet whose attention Modi may have been more embarrassed than happy to recently receive has been Mallika Sherawat, who opted to croon (no, we can't call it 'sing') happy birthday for the man she described as her purrrfect - sorry, perfect - bachelor in September. No reports of Modi, a man usually prompt in communication, sending her a thank you card or a return gift have so far been received.

Lata's voice was definitely more music to his ears than Mallika's.