Actor Sheela to enter politics, set to join Congress

Sheela, the veteran actor who immortalised many a role of romantic heroine on Malayalam screen in the last few decades, has announced her intention to join Congress for a different innings in politics.

"I wish to do something for the people, especially for women," she told a TV channel after meeting senior Congress leader and Defence Minister A K Antony at his home in New Delhi yesterday.

Sheela (70), who holds the world record for acting as heroine to Malayalam "evergreen hero" Prem Nazir in the maximum number of films (110), said she always had a leaning towards Congress which was an acceptable party and a major political player in the country.

Sheela said the political entry was not for fame or positions, but with the desire to work for the people, especially for the cause of women.

The official declaration about joining the Congress would be made soon, she said.

Sheela, who had acted in more than 450 films in Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil, is still active in cinema. She won the national award for second best actor in 2005 for her performance in the film Akale directed by Shyamaprasad.

National award-winning Chemmeen (1965) directed by Ramu Kariat based on Jnanpith laureate Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's famous novel was the film which catapulted her into fame.