EXCLUSIVE: BJP likely to pitch Malayalam films star Mohanlal against Shashi Tharoor in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram in 2019

In a sensational development regarding politics in Kerala, as per sources, the BJP is interested in offering an election ticket for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat in Kerala to actor Mohanlal.

Mohanlal met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, following which PM Modi praised Mohanlal's humility and social service initiatives. While he hasn't yet issued any confirmation regarding a potential political bow, Mohanlal has often stated that he is in awe of the Prime Minister.

Mohanlal also tweeted that he was honoured to meet PM Modi on Janmashtami, and mentioned that he had informed the Prime Minister about the social initiatives by his 'ViswaSandhi' foundation.

Mohanlal also appeared to hand the Prime Minister a gift and wrote that PM Modi had assured support and offered to participate in the Global Malayalee Round table, among other things.

Mohanlal, who was born as Mohanlal Viswanathan in 1960 but is mononymously known by only his first name, is one of the most prominent and prolific stars of Malayalam cinema, having acted in over 300 films. He's a recipient of five National Film Awards and was conferred the Padma Shri -- India's fourth highest civilian honour --  in 2001. Thiruvananthapuram is his paternal home and also where he completed his schooling and Bachelor's degree. 

If Mohanlal is given a BJP ticket for the 2019 Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha poll, it could see him go up against incumbent Congress MP Shashi Tharoor who first won the seat in 2009 and then retained it in 2014 by defeating BJP's Rajagopal by 297806 votes to 282336.