Khushboo ready to join Congress

A huge victory in the Supreme Court earlier this week followed by an equally huge decision to enter politics. Actor Khusbhoo says she'll take on this new role in 2011, when Tamil Nadu will vote for its next government. And Khushboo knows who she wants to represent. "My family and I have been huge fans of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi yes, Sonia Gandhi too. The Congress is the best bet now my family has been voting for the Congress."

On Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed 22 cases against the actor filed after comments she made in 2005 on pre-marital sex. In an interview to a magazine, Khushboo had discussed pre-marital sex and suggested that women must use protection. The state's moral police pounced filing a slew of cases against her across the state for corrupting young people. Khushboo stressed that her remarks were made in the context of a discussion on HIV and AIDS.

The four years after that interview were tough. She was isolated, with few intellectuals, celebrities or politicians from her home state rallying around her. At appearances at court, slippers and eggs were thrown at her. After her victory in the Supreme Court, Khushboo said, "A woman and actor combined together made a statement that made sense and that was the problem, I think."

She says she stands by the remarks that landed her in controversy, and knows her role as a politician may mean following different boundaries.

"I know I cannot be as forthright as I am now. I will have to be bound by an agenda. I will take baby steps yes perhaps begin by campaigning and then contesting."