Amitabh Bachchan’s brief political career began with a landslide electoral victory but ended within three years, leaving behind one of the most discussed celebrity entries into Indian politics.

In 1984, Bachchan contested the Allahabad Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket with the support of his close family friend, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He won the election by a huge margin before stepping away from politics in 1987.

Bachchan later recalled that travelling through villages during his political campaign exposed him to poverty and deprivation that had been less visible from his life as a film star. In a later account, he described seeing poverty, want and the resilience of people across the region.

He also acknowledged that entering politics had been an emotional decision. In later years, Bachchan said he felt inadequate for the job and regretted not being able to fulfil promises made to the people of Allahabad during his campaign.

His political journey was also overshadowed by controversy surrounding the Bofors episode, although Bachchan was not ultimately found guilty of wrongdoing. His resignation further fuelled questions about why one of India’s biggest film stars had left Parliament so quickly.

Bachchan subsequently stayed away from electoral politics, later describing his entry as a mistake and saying he had no intention of returning to politics.