Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut enters politics, named BJP candidate for Mandi

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has been unveiled as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Alongside Ranaut, Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj, a senior BJP leader, will be contesting from the Kangra constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This announcement came with the release of the BJP's fifth list of candidates on Monday, March 25.

Ranaut is known for her vocal support of the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ranaut, expressing her gratitude, stated, "I abide by the high command’s decision on contesting Lok Sabha polls. I feel honoured and elated to officially join the party and look forward to being a worthy karyakarta and a reliable public servant."

Born in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, Ranaut's entry into politics has long been speculated. In 2022, she had publicly expressed her willingness to contest from Mandi if offered a BJP ticket, citing her admiration for Narendra Modi and the sense of pride and nationalism he has instilled in the country since assuming office in 2014.