Cinema VinesMalayalam film star‑turned‑politician Suresh Gopi made headlines this week when he spoke at the opening of Kalyani Silks in Alappuzha, a city in Kerala’s picturesque backwaters. The actor, who now serves as Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas as well as Tourism, used the event to reflect on a career that has shifted from silver‑screen hero to political office holder. Gopi’s speech, delivered with his trademark humor, left the audience laughing as he admitted that he no longer receives invitations to inaugurate new shops.
During the ceremony, Gopi joked that he had once “inaugurated many stores in the past, but for some time now, I haven’t been called to any.” He went on to say that the money he used to earn from such events has dried up, but he has no complaints. “I have no complaints, though,” he added, hoping that the current opening would signal a return to such appearances. The actor‑minister expressed confidence that whatever path God has chosen for him will unfold, and that the opening could be a fresh start for his role as an inaugurator.
Gopi’s comments come against a backdrop of his long‑standing desire to return to acting. In October 2025, at an event in Kannur, he publicly stated that his income had stalled since entering politics. “I really want to continue acting. I need to earn more; my income has now stopped completely,” he told reporters, clarifying that he had never set out to become a minister and that he preferred to focus on cinema.
Once a dominant force in Malayalam cinema during the 1990s, Gopi’s star power was built on action titles such as Ekalavyan, Mafia, Commissioner and FIR. The actor’s popularity waned in the 2000s amid a string of commercial failures, yet he remained a household name. He is also the first BJP Member of Parliament from Kerala, having won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat, and his latest film, JSK: Janaki V v/s State of Kerala, released in 2025.
Despite his political commitments, Gopi has not abandoned his media background. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and has spent over a decade working as a field reporter and sub‑editor for outlets such as The Times of India and Reader’s Digest. While his current focus is on politics, the actor has expressed a deep love for cinema and hopes to balance both worlds in the future.
