Chapra: From singing on the streets to serenading millions on screen, and now stepping into the political spotlight, Bhojpuri sensation Khesari Lal Yadav is set to contest his first election from the Chapra Assembly constituency in Bihar’s Saran district, as a candidate for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Filing his nomination under his legal name Shatrughan Yadav, the actor-singer declared total assets worth ₹24.81 crore in his election affidavit.

As per his affidavit, Khesari owns movable assets worth ₹16.89 crore and immovable properties worth ₹7.91 crore, including a Land Rover Defender SUV worth ₹3 crore, purchased in 2023. His wife, Chanda, holds assets worth ₹7.39 crore, combining cash, jewellery, and property.

Khesari’s rise is nothing short of cinematic itself. Born to a family with humble means, his father, Mangaru Yadav, worked as a street vendor by day and security guard by night. In his early years, Khesari helped his family.

Later, the family moved to Delhi, where they began selling litti-chokha, a traditional Bihari dish. It was during these years of hardship that Khesari honed his performing skills, eventually breaking into the Bhojpuri music industry and never looking back.

Today, with over 100 films, 5,000+ songs, and a fan base spread across the Hindi heartland, Khesari is a household name. His popularity among migrant workers, youth, and Bhojpuri-speaking communities has made him one of the region's most influential cultural icons.

Political debut creates buzz in Bihar

His entry into politics has added a star-studded twist to the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. On Thursday, just a day before filing his nomination, Khesari joined the RJD in Patna, accompanied by his wife Chanda Yadav, who also joined the party.

Khesari will contest from Chapra, a high-stakes seat that goes to the polls in the first phase on November 6. His candidacy is seen as a major move by the RJD, which is banking on his mass appeal to sway voters in Saran region.

The RJD is part of the INDIA alliance, which also includes Congress and Left parties, although no formal seat-sharing announcement has been made yet. On the other side, the BJP-JD(U) alliance is contesting 101 seats each, representing the ruling NDA in Bihar.