Prakash Raj is preparing for a new role: A politician who serves the people

After announcing his decision to enter electoral politics in early January, Raj flagged off eight autorickshaws, all driven by women, to officially mark the beginning of his campaign in Bengaluru

In a few minutes, surprised at the crowd’s enthusiasm and the khaki presence, the barfi-seller steps back. “Who has come?” he asks in Hindi. “It’s Gani Bhai, the villain from Wanted,” says a bunch of boys as they climb onto a scooter to get a better look at “Gani Bhai”.

Known across the country as Prakash Raj, closer home in Bengaluru and across Karnataka, the actor-producer is still known by his birth name, Prakash Rai. Over the past year-and-a-half, 53-year-old Raj has made headlines as a voice of dissent against right-wing politics. His #justasking campaign, which raises concerns on