Actor Nagma's debut in electoral politics has been rough. The Congress candidate from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh has been seen on camera being pushed at and manhandled by unruly crowds and even a Congress legislator, though she now denies facing any harassment at all.

Two weeks ago, the legislator, Gajraj Singh, grabbed Nagma's face and allegedly kissed her on the cheek in visuals that went viral online and were repeatedly shown on TV. Nagma was seen removing his hand and walking off, without addressing the crowd.

Last Friday, chaos erupted again at Nagma's public meeting, and she was seen slapping a man who allegedly groped her.

"Neither did anyone try to kiss me nor did I slap anyone," the actor told NDTV on Tuesday. She also denied having said that she would not return to Meerut if it happened again.

Nagma joined the Congress just before the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, but had so far only campaigned for the party and its candidates. Her name was discussed in previous elections as a possible Lok Sabha candidate and even for the Rajya Sabha, but she was overlooked each time. 

If the surging crowds at her public meetings convert into votes, the 39-year-old should win easily in Meerut. But crowds guarantee a box-office hit, not an election win. 

Nagma failed to make her mark in Hindi films after a blockbuster debut in Baaghi opposite Salman Khan in 1989. She then shifted her attention down south, a move that paid off. She starred in several hits in Tamil and Telugu films, and was called the "Queen of the South''. 

The prolific actor has featured in films in 10 languages so far, most recently in Bhojpuri cinema.

Nagma was born Nandita Morarji, to a Hindu father and a Muslim mother on December 25, 1974. Her parents had already separated by the time she was born and her mother married a film producer. 

Nagma reportedly remained close to her biological father, Arvind Pratapsinh Morarji, who had links with the Jaisalmer royal family.