BOLLYWOOD actor Sunny Deol today (23) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, and praised prime minister Narendra Modi for being a leader capable of taking the country forward.
Deol joined the BJP amid speculation that he may be fielded from a Lok Sabha seat in Punjab.
“Like my father Dharmendra associated himself with Vajpayeeji, I am associating with Modiji. He has done a lot for the country and he can take us forward. Country needs leaders like him,” the 62-year-old said.
Welcoming him to the party, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: “I am pleased to welcome a firebrand actor, popular, very committed to his art, young brave artist Sunny Deol to the BJP.”
Referring to his film Border, the minister added: "Sunny Deol made the film Border which showed how the feeling of nationalism and patriotism when portrayed beautifully on film can touch a cord with the people."
Last week, after his meeting with Amit Shah, Deol remained non-committal when asked about joining the party. "I heard about the rumours that I am joining politics. I just met him (Amit Shah) and we took a photograph, that's it," he had said.
Deol is the latest from his family to join politics. His father Dharmendra and step-mother Hema Malini are BJP supporters.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (R) welcomes Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as he arrives for the opening of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 22, 2025. (Photo by Halden KROG / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
