Malayalam superstar-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who currently serves as Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Tourism, has expressed his wish to step down from his ministerial post, citing financial constraints and an overwhelming desire to return to films.
Speaking at a BJP event in Kannur, the actor-politician candidly admitted that his acting career has been on hold since he entered active politics, resulting in a complete halt in his income. “I really want to continue acting. I need to earn more; my income has now stopped completely,” Gopi said, stressing that his request was driven by financial necessity rather than political discontent.
The 65-year-old actor clarified that while he remains deeply committed to public service, his family responsibilities and financial obligations make it difficult to sustain himself without acting projects. “I never wanted to become a minister at the cost of my acting career,” he added.
In a surprising suggestion, Gopi recommended that BJP veteran C. Sadanandan Master, Kerala’s newly elected Rajya Sabha MP, be considered as his replacement in the Union Cabinet. Praising Master’s political journey, Gopi remarked, “I am saying with sincerity that Sadanandan Master should be made a Union Minister after removing me. I believe it will mark a new chapter in Kerala’s political history.”
Sadanandan Master, a respected leader from Kannur, is a survivor of a brutal 1994 attack allegedly carried out by CPI(M) workers, in which he lost both his legs. His resilience and lifelong dedication to the party have made him a symbol of ideological commitment within the BJP’s Kerala unit.
Gopi, one of Malayalam cinema’s most bankable stars, joined the BJP in 2016 and won his first Lok Sabha seat from Thrissur in 2024, making history as the party’s first-ever MP from Kerala. However, since his entry into politics, he has largely paused his film career, occasionally voicing a longing to return to the big screen.
Addressing recent criticism over his use of the term “praja” while referring to citizens, Gopi dismissed the controversy as politically motivated. “My words were twisted. Just like ‘manual scavengers’ are now called ‘sanitation engineers,’ I used the word in a respectful manner,” he clarified.
