Actors can serve Society without entering Politics: Shiva Rajkumar

Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar on Sunday said that film personalities need not necessarily enter politics to serve society and that meaningful contributions can be made while continuing their work in the film industry.
Shiva Rajkumar was speaking to reporters in Chennai while promoting his upcoming film 45, directed by Upendra, which is scheduled for release on December 25.
During the interaction, reporters asked him why several film celebrities in Tamil Nadu, from M.G. Ramachandran to Vijay, had entered politics, while a similar trend was not prominent in Karnataka.
Responding to the question, Shiva Rajkumar said that entering politics was not the only way to do good for the people.
He said he could help society while remaining an actor and added that he preferred to support people using his own money without bias or discrimination.
He also referred to his earlier remarks made a few months ago after offering prayers at the Murugan temple in Tiruchendur.
At that time, he had welcomed actor Vijay’s entry into politics and said he appreciated Vijay’s statements.
However, he had also noted that incidents such as the Karur stampede, in which 41 people lost their lives, were deeply painful and stressed that Vijay should take calm and considered decisions in politics.
Shiva Rajkumar’s comments have once again brought focus to the ongoing debate over the role of film celebrities in
politics.