Celebrity Walk: Twenty20 candidate Anjali Nair transforms her routine, bridging on-screen fame with off-screen campaigning

It’s a hectic day for Anjali Nair, the Twenty20 candidate from Thripunithura constituency. Dressed in a dark yellowish-green saree, she embarks on her campaign at the crack of dawn, starting as early as 7 AM. "Some days we begin as early as 6:30. There’s so much ground to cover, and we’re doing our best to reach everyone," she said. When asked if her choice of attire—green and yellow, matching the Chakka (Jackfruit) symbol of her campaign—has any significance, she laughs it off. "Honestly, I just wear whatever I can grab before heading out. It’s been eight or nine days of constant campaigning, and I haven’t had time to shop for more clothes, though I really should," she said during her campaign walk with Onmanorama, adding that she’s equally comfortable in both churidhar and saree for the long campaign days.

Will her celebrity status translate into votes? She remains hopeful. "People know me as the girl-next-door from my movie roles. Politics is new to me, but the people of Tripunithura know who I am. I’ve visited their homes many times, and I’m hoping that’s enough for them to support me," said the ‘Drishyam 2’ actor, while acknowledging the strength of her competitors from LDF and UDF.

Her daily routine has shifted dramatically since the campaign began. "Before, I had more time to spend with my kids and juggle my business commitments. But now, I leave home early without seeing them, and the campaign stretches late into the night. I try to wrap up by 10pm so I can get back before they sleep. Even if it's just an hour, I make sure to spend some time with them," she added.

Since her campaign began, the actor-turned-politician has also been subjected to intense online trolls on social media. So, how is she responding to the criticisms? “As a politician, you should be prepared for this. There was a viral clip showing me campaigning for votes among a few kids. However, only a portion of the incident was circulated online, which generated a significant amount of negative publicity. But I don’t take these to heart,” she said.

What are the key issues facing her constituency? "Thripunithura is made up of several areas, including Udayamperoor, Kumbalam, Maradu, and Palluruthy. During our visits, we’ve heard a lot of frustration from the people about the current state of affairs. Our main focus is development, and we’re aiming for a model similar to Kizhakambalam for Tripunithura. But more than grand promises, it’s important to address the public’s immediate needs and fulfill their basic demands," she said.

On whether she expects support from other artists during the campaign, she said, "I understand that everyone has their own commitments, but I’ve spoken to the higher-ups to make sure space and time are available for celebrities who want to join the campaign.”