Suresh Gopi, a prominent Malayalam actor-turned-politician, is making headlines as he is poised for a historic win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Thrissur, Kerala, Gopi’s success marks the first time BJP is set to open its account in the state’s Lok Sabha constituency. Facing tough competition from CPI’s ex-minister VS Sunil Kumar and senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan, Gopi has managed to secure a comfortable lead.
Early Life and Education
Born in June 1958 in Alappuzha, Kerala, Suresh Gopi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a Master of Arts degree in English Literature. His educational background is as diverse as his career, laying a solid foundation for his multifaceted professional journey.
Acting Career
Breakthrough and Major Films
Suresh Gopi began his acting career with numerous films but gained significant recognition with his lead role in Shaji Kailas’s “Thalastaanam” (1992). This breakthrough was followed by another major hit, “Ekalavyan” (1993), solidifying his status as a bankable star in Malayalam cinema. Among his notable films are “Manichitrathazhu” and “Commissioner.” One of his most memorable characters, Anakkattil Chackochi, came to life in the film “Lelam” (1997).
Awards and Hiatus
In 1998, Gopi’s stellar performance in “Kaliyattam” earned him the National Film Award and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. After a prolific career spanning over 250 films, he took a break from acting in 2015, with “My God” being his last film before the hiatus. He made a triumphant return in 2020 with a pivotal role in “Varane Avashyamund.”
Television Career
Suresh Gopi’s charisma extended to the small screen as well. In 2012, he hosted the popular game show “Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran” on Asianet, the Malayalam version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” He continued to host the show for five more seasons and also hosted “Anchinodu Inchodinchu” on Surya TV.
Political Journey
Joining BJP and Early Campaigns
In October 2016, Suresh Gopi officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He contested the 2019 Indian general election from the Thrissur constituency but lost to the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate TN Prathapan. Despite the loss, Gopi’s candidacy boosted BJP’s vote share in the region from 11.1% in 2014 to an impressive 28.2% in 2019.
Rajya Sabha Membership
On April 29, 2016, Gopi was sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, nominated by the President of India under the category of eminent citizens. He served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2016 to 2022, contributing to various parliamentary discussions and initiatives.
2024 Lok Sabha Election
In March 2024, Suresh Gopi was announced as the BJP candidate from the Thrissur constituency for the Lok Sabha elections. As of the latest updates, he leads the CPI candidate VS Sunil Kumar by a margin of 74,686 votes. His closest rival, Congress’s K Muraleedharan, has secured 337,652 votes.
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