Who is Suresh Gopi? Why did BJP MP and Malayalam star order to open all gates at Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur? | Today’s news
Actor and Union Minister Suresh Gopi recently grabbed headlines after ordering toll operators to open all the gates at Paliyekkara. He said his decision came after seeing a long queue of vehicles at the toll plaza. The Paliyekkara toll plaza is located in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency at Gopi on the Kochi-Salem National Highway.
Why did Suresh Gopi order to open all the toll gates
According to officials, Suresh Gopi was on his way towards Ernakulam when the incident took place. He reportedly saw vehicles waiting to cross the toll plaza on both sides.
Although his vehicle managed to reach the toll plaza, Gopi got out of his vehicle at the toll booth. He personally ordered the square’s operators to open all the gates in order, which police said helped clear the queue in half an hour.
Suresh Gopi reacts
“There are clear legal guidelines that if vehicles queue for such a distance – keeping in mind fuel wastage from idling, excessive heat emissions and smoke emissions – the court has issued strict guidelines that if vehicles build up beyond a certain point, the toll gates must be opened to let them through,” the BJP minister said on TV, as quoted by PTI.
“It doesn’t even make sense to blame them, they have to collect tolls. But that takes a lot of time,” he added.
Who is Suresh Gopi
Born in Alappuzha, Kerala in June 1958, Suresh Gopi is an actor, singer and politician who is best known for his work in the Malayalam film industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Arts in English Literature.
A career in the film and television industry
Gopi has acted in several Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. He is also a philanthropist and social worker.
Suresh Gopi’s breakthrough performance was as the protagonist in Shaji Kailas Thalastaanam (1992). With more than 250 films in his decade-long career, Gopi is among the highest-grossing stars of the Indian film industry with hits like Ekalavyan (1993), Commissioner and Manichitrathazhu. His portrayal of Anakkattil Chackochi in Lelam (1997) remains one of the most memorable performances of his career. In 1998, Gopi won the National Film Award and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Kaliyattam.
After 2015, Suresh Gopi took a five-year break from acting and later returned to Malayalam cinema in 2020 with Varane Avastyamund.
Apart from films, Suresh Gopi also hosted the Malayalam quiz show Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran on Asianet in 2012. He also hosted Anchinodu Inchodinch on Surya TV.
Policy
Gopi ventured into politics and joined the BJP in 2016. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha as an eminent citizen in April 2016 and served as a member of the upper house until 2022. Gopi contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Thrissur as a BJP candidate but lost to the Congress. He returned to Thrissur in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he secured victory.
