Taking the blessings of the elderly, hugging those his age and distributing sweets to kids — cricketer-turned-filmstar Yograj Singh looks the part in his latest avatar, of a politician.

The INLD candidate from Panchkula went door to door in Haripur village, Sector 4, in Panchkula on Saturday, requesting them to support him in his booming baritone, associated more with threatening villains in countless Punjabi hits he has acted in.

“I am here to work as a common man and not a politician. Even if my son Yuvraj (Singh) comes with his friends, I would not allow him to go around in cars like a VIP. He too would follow me in my campaign as a common man,” said Yograj. He said all he wanted to do was “serve my people”.

He promised the residents that he would as hard for them as he did to make the career of his son Yuvraj.

He was accompanied, among other leaders, by Seema Chaudhary, former president of the Panchkula municipal council.

Villagers were overwhelmed seeing the popular star among them. “After seeing him as a cricketer, film actor and then a cricket coach, it is wonderful to see another facet of his life. The best part about him is that like other politicians, he has not made tall claims which are never fulfilled,” said Sunil Kumar. Later in the day, Yograj Singh held a public meeting in Sector 19.