Agnimitra Paul, once a celebrated fashion designer who credits Sridevi with her first big break and later worked as costume designer on the National Award-winning film Avijatrik, has redefined her public life by entering politics. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost’s Lachmi Deb Roy, Paul described how she left a successful design career to join the Bharatiya Janata Party and, after winning twice, became a minister overseeing urban development and municipal affairs in West Bengal. She said the move began in late 2018 and led to her formally joining in March 2019, driven by admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a desire to serve the public.
Paul, who grew up in a middle-class family in Asansol and earned an MBA from Jadavpur University, called herself an “accidental” designer and, later, an accidental politician. “I never had a knack for politics or a plan to join politics,” she told Firstpost, recalling that she had been primarily focused on design work for Bollywood and Tollywood before politics drew her in. Her design career included social initiatives: she said she regularly featured acid attack survivors, traffic workers and visually challenged children in shows, and ran a project teaching stitching to tribal widows in the Sundarbans so they could earn a living.
She described strong resistance at home when she decided to enter politics. Paul said her in‑laws, a business family, opposed the move and that her mother feared for her safety amid reports of violence against women in the state. Her father, an 80‑year‑old practicing doctor, remained a constant supporter, she added. Paul also credited her two sons for enabling her public life, noting her younger son is just 12 and has quietly borne the sacrifices required.
On the political front, Paul said the transition was a steep learning curve. “I didn’t even know how to give a speech,” she said, contrasting the social world of design with the demands of grassroots politics. She described hardships as an opposition leader under Trinamool Congress rule, saying 23 cases were filed against her — including, she said, arms and murder charges she attributes to the previous state government.
Despite the challenges, Paul said she has come to love politics and public service. “From 2019 to 2026, I learnt a lot in this short span and I thank almighty for giving me this opportunity to serve the people,” she told Firstpost, noting her ministerial brief covers roads, sanitation and infrastructure — areas she said are close to her heart.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/exclusive-interview-agnimitra-pauls-journey-from-an-accidental-bollywood-designer-to-an-accidental-politician-14023173.html
Category: India
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Publish Date: 2026-06-18 15:52:00
