LEADING Kannada film actor Sudeep Sanjeev, popularly known as Kichcha Sudeep, on Wednesday announced his support to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in poll-bound Karnataka, giving “star power” to the ruling BJP’s campaign for the May 10 Assembly elections. Bommai said Sudeep supporting him means the actor would campaign for the BJP. Sudeep, who has a huge fan following in the state and is one of the highest paid actors of Kannada cinema, however, made it clear that he is not entering politics and neither is he contesting the polls. The actor indicated that he is not backing a party. Stressing his affection and respect for the Chief Minister and recalling that he stood by him during difficult times and shared a very close bond with his family, the actor announced his support to Bommai.

“There were only a few people who stood by me during my difficult times and among them the main person and my loved one is Basavaraj Bommai ‘mama’. It is a duty and gratitude that I have for this loveable person,” the multi-lingual actor said.

When asked if he would campaign for the Chief Minister or the party he belonged to, Sudeep said he would only follow Bommai’s instructions. “I am here only because Bommai wants me to support a few people. However, I cannot campaign for everybody because humanly I cannot and I won’t.” On whether he supported the BJP’s ideology, Sudeep said as a citizen there are certain ideologies he did agree upon but those were his personal perspectives.

“I agree with the leadership. I totally respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi for certain decisions he has taken but that has got nothing to do with me sitting here today because this is me connecting with a person (Bommai),” the actor said.