Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, on Wednesday said in clear words that acting is his passion and if he is stopped from doing films, he will not be able to survive. Actor-turned-politician Gopi is the first BJP MP from Kerala. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Thrissur seat. Gopi is also the Minister of State for Tourism.
Addressing an event at the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce in Thiruvananthapuram, Gopi said, “Film is my passion. If no film is made, I will die. I have sought permission to act in the film Ottakomban. I have not received the permission yet, but on September 6, I am starting Ottakomban.”
He said, “I have agreed to act in about 20 to 22 films. When I was asked how many films are pending, I told Union Home Minister Amit Shah that I have agreed to act in about 20 to 22 films. After this Amit Shah threw away that paper. I will always obey my leaders. But film is my passion, otherwise I will die.”
He said, “I will take three or four people from the ministry to film shooting to do ministerial work. I will give them a caravan. If they send me back for this I will feel I have run away. Then I will get more time for the people of Thrissur. The cabinet berth was not given to me personally. My chair is a gift to the people who have chosen the BJP.”
Suresh Gopi, who fought the election with the slogan ‘Union minister for Thrissur, Modi’s guarantee’, had made the party uncomfortable with his stand when he was inducted into the Cabinet. Soon after being inducted into the Union ministry, Gopi had told the media, “I want to work as an MP. My stand was that I don’t want a Cabinet berth. I had told the party that I am not interested in it. I think I will be relieved soon. The people of Thrissur know very well. I will do very well as an MP. I want to act in films. Let the party decide.”
