Actress Roopa Ganguly Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying she wanted to do something about India's problems rather than sit and criticise.
Ganguly gained cult popularity for playing Draupadi in the television series "Mahabharat".
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley handed over the party flag to Ganguly, formally inducting her into the BJP fold.
"Why shouldn't I? Should I only sit at home and criticise? Why shouldn't I actually do something about it? Why shouldn't I try? I want to do some good and work for the development of my country," the actress told the media when quizzed on her decision to join the BJP.
Ganguly is recognised for her roles in films like "Padma Nadir Majhi" by Gautam Ghose, "Yugant" by Aparna Sen and "Antarmahal" by Rituparno Ghosh.
She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the Bengali film "Abosheshey".
The 48-year-old said she believes in making a clear distinction between the right and the wrong which would help her in doing good politics.
"I follow some principles. I am very straight forward. I try to do at least one good deed everyday. And try to come to the aid of people. I try to make them smile.
"I believe in drawing a thick line between right and wrong...then it would be easy to do politics," she added.
