Ever since the Election Commission announced the dates for the LS polls, the entire nation has been affected by election fever. News about party alignment and party leaders seem to occupy the centre stage all over. As cinema and politics always go hand in hand, speculations about which actor patronizing which party seems to be in the news everyday.And Andhra Pradesh is no exception, where there is a huge fan following for actor-turned- politicians.

Recently, there were reports of Roja Kootam-fame Bhoomika joining the Telugu Desam Party. However, when the matter was probed, the actress vehemently denied the news and said, “I have not joined any political party. I am interested in social work, which prompted me to inaugurate a blood bank belonging to the Telugu Desam. That apart, I have no interest in politics.” Readers may recall that a couple of days back, Trisha was also said to have joined the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, which the actress denied.

March 16: The Congress on Monday demanded that the Election Commission should immediately ban screening of films of all those actors who are actively involved in politics in theatres.
In what is seen as a sharp reaction to the EC’s decision to cover faces of Rajiv Gandhi on 108 ambulances, the Congress came out with a demand to stop telecast of the movies starring Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Jr NTR, Pavan Kalyan and Allu Arjun on private channels.
The ruling party also went on an offensive against the EC which the former accused of showing partisan attitude towards Opposition parties. The finance minister and senior Congress leader, Mr K, Rosaiah, met the Chief Electoral Officer, Dr I.V. Subba Rao, and registered a strong protest against the EC’s decision to cover the face of Rajiv Gandhi on 108 ambulances.
He threatened to approach the court against the order.
“The EC is prompt in reacting to complaints of the Opposition parties but remains a mute spectator when they violate the code,” Mr Rosaiah said while referring to the EC keeping quiet on telecast of films of actors who are actively campaigning for political parties.
“Though there were orders prohibiting telecast of movies of actors who are involved in politics on Doordarshan, the private channels are not covered by these restrictions. If the face of a leader on a speeding vehicle could leave an impression among voters what will be the impact of screening or telecast full length films? They have more potential to influence the minds of voters with their heroic deeds on screen,” Mr Rosaiah said.
The Congress alleged that some private channels had been repeatedly telecasting movies and timing them before public meetings with a sole objective of mobilising crowds to the events.