Bhojpuri icon Khesari Lal Yadav is bidding farewell to politics, embracing his true calling as an artist. In a bold statement, he explained that the political field requires too much falsehood, clashing with his commitment to integrity.
‘Politics isn’t for me,’ Khesari declared. ‘You have to lie there, but I stick to the truth. I’m an artist, period.’ This principled stand comes after a short-lived political stint that ended in defeat but taught him valuable lessons.
Real name Shatrughan Yadav, Khesari entered the fray last year by aligning with RJD before Bihar assembly elections. Nominated for Chhapra, the party leveraged his stardom to challenge BJP’s grip. Yet, he fell short against Chhoti Kumari by over 7,600 votes.
The constituency’s track record – BJP triumphs in 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025 – made it a tough battleground. CN Gupta’s back-to-back wins highlighted the odds. Shortly after, Khesari signaled his disinterest in continuing.
Addressing the January post-mortem, he noted widespread awareness of RJD’s setbacks. ‘I thrive as an artist,’ he confessed. ‘In politics, truth becomes a liability. Only those skilled in deception advance.’
Khesari’s career boasts over a decade of dominance in Bhojpuri films and music. From heartfelt melodies to high-octane dramas, he’s captivated audiences across states.
His retreat underscores a broader narrative: Can honest voices survive politics? Khesari believes not. ‘If fooling people is your talent, join politics,’ he quipped.
Supporters praise his self-awareness, while critics see it as an easy out. Regardless, his focus shifts back to what he does best. With new projects on horizon, Khesari reaffirms: Honesty fuels his art. The industry, and his fans, couldn’t be happier.