Ruby Dhalla, a Canadian politician of Indian descent, recently announced her candidacy for the leadership of Canada’s Liberal Party, positioning herself as a potential future prime minister. However, before stepping into politics, Dhalla had a brief stint in Bollywood-style cinema.
Her Role in ‘Kyon? Kis Liye?’
In 2003, Dhalla starred as a police officer in the Hindi-language film Kyon? Kis Liye?, directed by Vinod Talwar. The movie was inspired by the real-life case of Hamilton serial killer Sukhwinder Dhillon and was made on a limited budget.
A year after the film’s release, Dhalla was elected as a Member of Parliament for Brampton—Springdale in 2004.
The Film Controversy
Following her rise in politics, Dhalla attempted to block the DVD release of Kyon? Kis Liye?, claiming that her promotional images had been doctored. However, the film’s producer, Charanjit Sihra, denied these allegations, stating:
“She came to Hamilton and always wanted to be a Bollywood star. I gave her a chance in the film.”
A 2009 CTV report also supported the filmmaker’s claims, adding to the controversy surrounding Dhalla’s past.
More About Ruby Dhalla
- Dhalla made history as one of the first Indian-origin women elected to the Canadian parliament, alongside Conservative politician Nina Grewal.
- She served in the House of Commons from 2004 to 2011, winning re-elections in 2006 and 2008 before losing in 2011.
- Before politics, Dhalla pursued careers in modeling and hospitality, finishing as the first runner-up in the Miss India Canada pageant in 1993.
A New Chapter in Politics
With her Bollywood past resurfacing, Dhalla’s leadership bid will likely be under increased scrutiny. Whether this impacts her political journey remains to be seen.