NEW DELHI: Union minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday minced no words to say acting was his primary passion and would not think twice to resign from his constitutional duties, if his acting career was jeopardized due to active politics. In fact, the actor turned politician went on step further and claimed he would consider himself “saved” if he was removed from the post of Union minister.
Suresh Gopi, who emerged as BJP’s lone MP from Kerala after the LS polls, was made Union minister of state for petroleum & natural gas and the ministry of tourism by the Modi 3.0 government.
Addressing an event at the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce in Thiruvananthapuram, the Thrissur MP said, “Film is my passion. If there is no film, I will die. I have sought permission for acting in a movie Ottakkomban. I haven’t got the permission yet, but on September 6, I am starting Ottakkomban,” according to news agency PTI.
The first-time parliamentarian said he has agreed to act in 22 movies currently and was ready to shed his political responsibilities, if the Central leadership wanted him to step down as a result of his passion for acting. “All this I want to do. So, if they remove me for it, I would consider myself saved. That is all I can say,” he said.
The Union minister informed that he will bring three or four officials from the ministry along with him to help him carry out his ministerial duties and for that special arrangements would have to be made on the film sets.
Gopi yet again said that he never wished to be a minister and still does not desire it. “I bowed to their (his leaders) decision to make me a minister after they said that they were giving the post to me for the people of Thrissur who voted me to power and not for myself. I accepted that decision. “
“I still obey my leaders and will continue to do so. But without my passion (cinema), I will die,” he added.
This is not the first time the actor turned politician has expressed similar reservations. Soon after getting added to the Union ministry, Gopi had told the media then that, “I want to work as an MP. My stand was that I didn’t want it Cabinet berth. I had told the party that I was not interested in it Cabinet berth. I think I will be relieved soon. The people of Thrissur know very well. I will perform very well as an MP. I want to act in films. Let the party decide.”
However, the actor turned politician after facing backlash from some quarters retracted his statement and said, ““It is a matter of pride for me to be in the council of ministers of the Modi Government and to represent the people of Kerala.’’
Suresh Gopi, who emerged as BJP’s lone MP from Kerala after the LS polls, was made Union minister of state for petroleum & natural gas and the ministry of tourism by the Modi 3.0 government.
Addressing an event at the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce in Thiruvananthapuram, the Thrissur MP said, “Film is my passion. If there is no film, I will die. I have sought permission for acting in a movie Ottakkomban. I haven’t got the permission yet, but on September 6, I am starting Ottakkomban,” according to news agency PTI.
The first-time parliamentarian said he has agreed to act in 22 movies currently and was ready to shed his political responsibilities, if the Central leadership wanted him to step down as a result of his passion for acting. “All this I want to do. So, if they remove me for it, I would consider myself saved. That is all I can say,” he said.
The Union minister informed that he will bring three or four officials from the ministry along with him to help him carry out his ministerial duties and for that special arrangements would have to be made on the film sets.
Gopi yet again said that he never wished to be a minister and still does not desire it. “I bowed to their (his leaders) decision to make me a minister after they said that they were giving the post to me for the people of Thrissur who voted me to power and not for myself. I accepted that decision. “
“I still obey my leaders and will continue to do so. But without my passion (cinema), I will die,” he added.
This is not the first time the actor turned politician has expressed similar reservations. Soon after getting added to the Union ministry, Gopi had told the media then that, “I want to work as an MP. My stand was that I didn’t want it Cabinet berth. I had told the party that I was not interested in it Cabinet berth. I think I will be relieved soon. The people of Thrissur know very well. I will perform very well as an MP. I want to act in films. Let the party decide.”
However, the actor turned politician after facing backlash from some quarters retracted his statement and said, ““It is a matter of pride for me to be in the council of ministers of the Modi Government and to represent the people of Kerala.’’
