Lucknow, Jan 17  :Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt made his political debut as a Samajwadi party candidate for the Lucknow parliamentary constituency on Saturday by practically launching his election campaign with a road show here.

The actor-turned-politician was accompanied by wife Manyatta and Bhojpuri superstar Manoj Tewari in his first ever political rally.

A bearded Sanjay, clad in white kurta-payjama and Nehru vest, won the crowds by promising to practice Gandhigiri (practicing non-violent methods) and said he would give "jadu ki jhappi" to the people of the constituency — referring to his mega hit film "Lage Raho Munnabhai".

"Mai yahan logon ko pyar karne aya hun aur pyar lene aya hun. Log mujhe jaadu ki jhappi dein" (I am here to love people and seek their love. People here should give me a magic hug), Dutt told reporters.

The crowd was heavy and seemed ecstatic after seeing the Bollywood super star.

Dutt had declared on Friday that he would contest the coming polls as an SP candidate and paid no ear to his sister’s (Congress MP Priya Dutt) disapproval to join a party other than Congress.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will also join him in contesting for the Lucknow constituency.

The actor is likely to discuss his future plans with the press later in the day. (ANI)