eteran actor Suresh Oberoi has opened up about his brief association with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2004, his views on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and his decision to stay away from active politics.
In a recent conversation with interviewer Nidhi Vasandani, Oberoi recalled his entry into politics and his interactions with senior BJP leaders. He said his association gave him an opportunity to meet prominent political figures, including former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Oberoi also spoke positively about the RSS and its chief Mohan Bhagwat. He described himself as an admirer of the organisation and said he has respect for Bhagwat. His comments come at a time when discussions surrounding the RSS and its political influence continue to feature prominently in India's public debate.
The actor also shared his views on several prominent political leaders. He described Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath positively. However, he distinguished his opinion of these leaders from his experience with the broader political environment.
According to Oberoi, he eventually became uncomfortable with active political involvement. He said that he had initially viewed politics as an avenue for serving the country but later developed reservations about the environment he encountered.
One of the issues Oberoi raised was his perception that many people involved in politics were primarily interested in financial gains. These comments represent his personal assessment of the political environment and should be understood as his opinion rather than an independently established fact.
Oberoi's comments also extended beyond his own political experience. He questioned the role of celebrities in political protests and public activism. The actor suggested that people should avoid taking strong positions on issues without first understanding the complete circumstances.
He referred to environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk while discussing public activism and the way celebrities participate in protests and social causes. Oberoi's broader argument was that public figures should have adequate knowledge of an issue before making strong statements about it.
The actor further emphasised that acting remains his primary profession and passion. His decision to step away from active politics allowed him to continue concentrating on his career in the entertainment industry.
Oberoi's remarks have attracted attention because they combine his personal experience of political involvement with his continuing admiration for certain political leaders and the RSS. His comments also highlight the distinction between supporting individual leaders and actively participating in party politics.
His recollection of the 2004 period provides an insight into his brief political association. Rather than continuing as an active political participant, Oberoi chose to return his primary focus to acting.
The actor's comments come amid continuing public discussions about the relationship between cinema personalities and politics. Several Indian actors and other public figures have participated in political campaigns, expressed political views or joined political organisations over the years. Oberoi's comments reflect his personal decision to remain focused on his profession while maintaining his individual views on political and social issues.
His remarks about political activism also underline the importance of understanding the context of public controversies before expressing strong opinions. Oberoi said that he would prefer not to comment on subjects about which he does not have sufficient information.
Overall, Suresh Oberoi's latest interview has brought renewed attention to his short political association with the BJP in 2004, his admiration for the RSS and Mohan Bhagwat, and his views on contemporary political leaders.
While he expressed positive opinions about Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath, Oberoi also explained why he did not remain active in politics. His comments about money, political participation and celebrity activism are his personal observations and should be treated as such.
The interview has therefore generated discussion across both political and entertainment circles, particularly because Oberoi is known primarily for his long career in Hindi cinema rather than active political participation