Poll process breeds graft, want to change it: Upendra

Kannada film star Upendra launched his new political outfit, Karnataka Prajnavantara Janata Party, last week which is the third political party launched in the last one month.

The launch of his  party was a low-key affair unlike the launch of his films- the party was launched at Gandhi Bhavan in the city in the presence of auto drivers and the aam admi. Unlike many other Kannada actors including thespian Dr Rajkumar who kept themselves away from politics, Upendra does not want to shy away from the field. He wants to engage in prajaakiya which is not politics but people-centric activity. During an interview with Deccan Chronicle, he did not duck difficult questions and instead tried to explain his ideas giving an impression that he is trying to convert his filmy dialogues into reality. But can Upendra, popularly known as Uppi, make a dent in the political scene here where elections are influenced by caste and money? Here are excerpts from his interview.
 
Where did you get the inspiration to launch a political party?

I do not know how (I got the inspiration). Actually, I was interested in this field from the very beginning. I came to the film industry for this reason. When we were in college, we used to discuss the bad system we lived in and how and who should fix it. The idea that I had then was: join the film industry, become a hero and people will listen to you. Then we can serve the state and change the system. I started with writing for films. The first film I acted was Anantana Avanatara. I had an atrocious physical appearance then. I changed myself totally later and after Om, everything changed. What happened thereafter is history. I have tried to send out a political message through a lot of films. This (establishing a party) was always there inside me. Now I am trying to realise it.

You might be aware of Karnataka’s political history. No regional party had ever got success in  electoral politics. People here did not support any regional party in the past. Did you ever think of this?  

Do you know one thing: In life, either we go by bad examples or very good ones. Yes, what you said is a fact. That (success of a regional party) did not happen so far, no doubt. That does not mean it can’t happen ever. We need a strong regional party to protect our interests. Deep down, all of us have these sentiments.

Do you mean to say you want to ignite the minds of people and create a regional party?

Nothing wrong if I think so. We are used to false promises. Every political party and a large section of leaders are used to giving false promises. They do not speak about how they would implement them. Are those promises made by parties realistic? We have to be scientific and realistic in our approach. That is lacking. We have reached a stage where politicians are blaming the common man saying voters take money and vote. Who started this culture? No one is asking why we reached this stage. Someday, we must consider changing this. That’s why I thought of founding a regional party.

We have the Janata Dal (Secular) a regional party..

I do not want to say what they have done or not done. I am not here to complain against them. My argument is: the election process is the root cause of this mess. Every candidate feels he should win by hook or crook. He distributes money. He feels those who help him in the elections have to be rewarded when he comes to power. This vicious circle will continue. If we can break this circle, then we can think of bringing some change. This is what I want to do.

Two years ago, Arvind Kejriwal swept the Delhi assembly polls. Now, many of his ministers are involved in scams and facing cases. People might be worried about supporting newcomers.

You may read it that way. Didn’t he do a successful experiment? Fighting the two national parties and winning the polls is not a small achievement. How can you blame people if some ministers make mistakes? Leaders may make mistakes but not people.

Neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have the culture of film actors entering politics and starting new political parties. Karnataka never had this culture.

We did not have that culture till now. There is nothing wrong if we set an example here too.

Have you ever felt you are a novice in this game and so may lose the elections?

No, I am not fighting with them. I am on a different path, they are on a different road. They are playing politics, I am engaged in Prajaakiya. I am with the people. I have to go with them (people), speak for them. So, the question of losing the game does not arise. If I start thinking I am different from the public, then the conflict starts. Otherwise, not.

Before the elections, every one speaks in the same voice about bringing
change in society, in the government. But after the elections, the bureaucracy will tame the leaders in such a way that they all became the same after a few years.

I think there is an issue here. After coming to power, what do you do? You do not allow a bureaucrat to work according to rules. Either you ask for a cut in the project to be implemented or collect so much money from him for a posting that whoever reaches a particular position will make money and will not focus on work. If we change this practice, then we can think of bringing a change among bureaucrats.

In Karnataka, political parties go after votes using the caste and money factor. They may campaign against you saying you are unrealistic and snatch your votes.

Let them do it. If people are swayed by that, then I will be proved wrong. It will be a lesson for me and I will conclude that the time is still not ripe to change the system. Who knows, everything might be right here and it’s only Upendra who feels things are not in good shape.

A gentleman in his Face Book post said he would back Upendra if he cuts his hair.

(Laughs) I have film commitments so I maintain the continuity (of my hair style). Once I finish that, let me think about it. I did not think people go by looks in politics. I am of the view that people will go by what politicians say.  

Is the film you are working on, political in nature?

There are two films and both Home Minister and Upendra Matte Baa are not political in nature.