Union Minister and actor-politician Suresh Gopi has once again expressed his wish to return to films, saying that his earnings have fallen sharply since assuming ministerial responsibilities. Speaking at an event in Kannur on Sunday, the Thrissur MP admitted that he is finding it difficult to balance his political and film careers.
“I really want to continue acting. I need to earn more; my income has now stopped completely,” he said. The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism also suggested that Rajya Sabha MP C Sadanandan Master be considered for his position, adding, “I am saying here with sincerity that Sadanandan should be made a (Union) Minister after removing me.”
Suresh Gopi, who became Kerala’s first BJP Lok Sabha MP in 2024, said he had not sought a ministerial role. “I have never prayed to become a minister. A day before the elections, I told reporters that I do not want to become a minister, I want to continue with my cinema,” he said.
At the event, the actor-politician also criticised those who, he said, deliberately distort his remarks. Citing the controversy over his use of the word praja to refer to the people of Thrissur, he remarked, “What is wrong with using the word praja?” He said his words were often twisted for political purposes and drew a comparison with how designations like “manual scavengers” have evolved into “sanitation engineers” over time.
This is not the first time Suresh Gopi has voiced discomfort with his ministerial duties. In June 2024, shortly after being sworn in, he said he would prefer to continue as an MP rather than hold a Cabinet berth. “I want to work as an MP. My stand was that I didn’t want it (Cabinet berth). I had told (the party) that I was not interested in it (Cabinet berth). I think I will be relieved soon,” he told reporters at the time. His comments then sparked a political row, prompting him to clarify that he remained committed to the Modi government and its goals for Kerala.
Having joined the BJP in 2016, Suresh Gopi contested unsuccessfully in earlier elections before winning from Thrissur in 2024 on the slogan “A Union Minister for Thrissur, Modi’s Guarantee.” His appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism was seen as part of the party’s effort to consolidate its presence in Kerala.
Before entering politics, Suresh Gopi was one of Malayalam cinema’s most popular actors, best known for his action-packed films such as Commissioner, Ekalavyan and Lelam, among others. However, his film career slowed in the past decade, with only a few notable hits such as Varane Avashyamund (2020). His recent film Janaki V vs State of Kerala, which hit theatres earlier this year, performed poorly at the box office. He is currently working on his long-delayed 250th film Ottakomban.
