Kirron Kher

Kher was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 by defeating Congress stalwart Pawan Bansal and Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate and celebrity Gul Panag. Riding on the Modi wave, she again defeated Bansal in the 2019 parliamentary polls. However, in 2024 she was denied ticket by BJP ending her tenure in the lower house of the Indian Parliament.

Born in Amritsar in 1955, Kirron studied at the National School of Drama in New Delhi and began her acting career in theatre. She made her film debut in 1983 with the film "Aasmaan Se Aa Gaya". She went on to star in a number of successful films, including "Devdas" (2002), "Rang De Basanti" (2006), and "Main Hoon Na" (2004).

Kher is a recipient of numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress, the National Film Award – Special Jury Award, the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Guild Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and the Indian Telly Award for Best Judge Panel.

Known for her outspoken nature, Kher, 68, drew flak for her comments during a political address in her constituency Chandigarh in March 2023. She used phrases such as “laanat hai” and “chhittar ferne chahiye” while referring to voters. She was speaking about the development work she had done for the residents of Deep Complex in Chandigarh. During her speech, Kher stated, “Agar Deep Complex mein mujhe ek bhi banda vote na dale, to badi laanat ki baat hai. Jaakar chhittar ferne chahiye unko (If no one from Deep Complex votes for me, it will be a highly shameful thing. They need to be beaten up with shoes).”

This was not the first time that she has faced criticism for her use of language. In June 2022, Kher had referred to AAP councillors as “dunger” (animals) during a press conference. She had criticised their conduct at the first House meeting of Chandigarh stating, “They were breaking tables and glasses. I have never seen such junglipana. Aisa lag raha tha jaise waha dunger ghum rahe the (it appeared as if animals were roaming there).”

Kher has also been at opponent's target for her long absence from her constituency, to which her party has clarified that she has been suffering from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, and is undergoing treatment in Mumbai.