JD (U) legislator Sunil Kumar and (above) a still from Ghayal Yodha, which is scheduled for a June release. Pictures by Deepak Kumar and The Telegraph

Patna, May 23: Film stars joining politics is common but a ruling JD (U) MLA from Bihar has set a reverse trend by pursuing his film-making ambitions after tasting success in politics.

Sunil Kumar, originally a doctor, became an MLA from Biharsharif in 2005. Having excelled in two different fields, Kumar got into filmmaking in 2006 and has so far produced three Bhojpuri films. He is all set to release another film — Ghayal Yodha — on June 10.

Kumar started his career as a physician in 1987. Highly inspired by his social worker father, he used to treat patients for free. Soon, he gained popularity among the local residents and decided to join politics in 1995.

Asked about his priority among medicine, politics and cinema, Kumar said: “Making a film is my hobby and politics is my career. I have never mixed the two fields. Whenever I feel there is a need to make a film, I go forward with the script and rest follows. As a doctor too, I was totally focussed on serving the people. My supporters and well-wishers motivated me to join politics and later gave me the confidence to make films. I have been attached to the Bihar film industry for the past 18 years and this is the reason that apart from being a film producer, I am also the president of Bihar Jharkhand Motion Picture Association.”

He further said: “After losing two consecutive Assembly elections in 1995 and 2000 as an Independent candidate, I first tasted success in 2005. Chief minister Nitish Kumar gave me the ticket to contest the election because he trusted my talent. Since that time, I have won all three Assembly polls from Biharsharif.”

Chacha Bhatija was Kumar’s first film as producer. A 2006-release, the film was based on the 15 years of “misrule” of RJD, headed by Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. After four years, in 2010, Kumar made Damini, based on women empowerment.

About his love for cinema, Kumar said: “Cinema is the mirror of society. Whatever happens in society is reflected in cinema and this is the reason why I always produce films based on social issues. I don’t like to make commercial films for entertainment purpose.”

His recent film Ghayal Yoddha is a story of a woman who motivates her son to avenge the murder of their family members. “In this film I have tried to given an identity to women and show that they are brave and determined to fight for their rights and dignity.”

Kumar never produces fil-ms starring established actors like Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Ki-ssen. He wants to give chance to newcomers and this expla-ins why he cast Babushan and Riya, who have acted in Oriya cinema, in his latest film.

“The success of a film does not depend on the actors, it depends on the subject which has to be powerful enough to attract the viewers. That’s the reason why all of my films have received good response from the public and have been declared hits,” said Kumar.

Asked about inviting Nitish for the release of his film, Kumar said: “He is the chief minister and he has plenty of work. I don’t think that it wo-uld be right to disturb him.”