The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sprang a surprise on Thursday, as it put up Marathi actor Nandu Madhav as its candidate against senior BJP leader and sitting MP Gopinath Munde from Beed lok Sabha constituency in Marathwada region.
Madhav’s name figured in the second list of 30 candidates released by the AAP for the forthcoming lok Sabha polls. The AAP’s second list comprised ten candidates from Maharashtra.
The nomination of Madhav — who shot to fame in 2010 by playing the role of legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke in critically-acclaimed film Harishchandrachi Factory as a candidate against Munde, is bound to arouse interest in the film and literary circles of the state.
A native of Beed district, Madhav is a known name not just in Marathwada, a region he comes from, but also entire Maharashtra.Through his lead actor’s role in Harishchandrachi Factory, Nandu has also acted in films like Shala (2011) and Amol Palekar- directed The Square Circle (1996) and a well-received Marathi play Waada Chirebandi.
Madhav was also in the news for his controversial Marathi play “Shivaji Underground In Bhimnagar Mohalla”, a play he produced and directed. Despite staunch opposition from the right-wing organizations, he staged 200-odd shows of the play in the state.
While welcoming the AAP’s move to put up Nandu Madhav as its candidate against Munde, Dalit writer and senior Marathi journalist Arun Khore told this newspaper: “It is heartening that Madhav has taken a plunge into electoral politics. Artistes like Madhav have a role to play in democracy. Madhav does not stand a chance against Munde. All the same, with Madhav will be bringing in new ideas to the table”.