Sheela, the veteran actor whoimmortalised many a role of romantic heroine on Malayalam screen in the lastfew decades, has announced her intention to join Congress for a differentinnings in politics.
"I wish to do something for the people, especially forwomen," she told a TV channel after meeting senior Congress leader andDefence Minister A K Antony at his home in New Delhi yesterday.
Sheela (70), who holds the world record for acting asheroine to Malayalam "evergreen hero" Prem Nazir in the maximumnumber of films (110), said she always had a leaning towards Congress which wasan acceptable party and a major political player in the country.
Sheela said the political entry was not for fame orpositions, but with the desire to work for the people, especially for the causeof women.
The official declaration about joining the Congress would bemade soon, she said.
Sheela, who had acted in more than 450 films in Malayalam,Kannada, Telugu and Tamil, is still active in cinema. She won the nationalaward for second best actor in 2005 for her performance in the film"Akale" directed by Shyamaprasad.
National award-winning "Chemmeen" (1965) diectedby Ramu Kariat based on Jnanpith laureate Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's famousnovel was the film which catapulted her into fame.