Bollywood celebrities turn out to vote, ask fans to get inked
Celebrities encourage fans to vote on social media sites
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-04-24 10:29 GMT
Mumbai: Bollywood celebrities Rekha, Vidya Balan, Sunny Deol and Sonam Kapoor were among the early-morning voters who gave a head start to voting in Mumbai today. While most of Bollywood is at Tampa Bay to attend the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards function, there were some exceptions who made sure they fullfilled their duty as citizens and cast their vote early in the morning.
Bollywood actress took to the photo sharing site Instagram and posted this picture of her inked finger:Full View
Actress Vidya Balan was among the first Bollywood celebrity to cast her vote. Vidya, who lives in suburban Juhu after her marriage with UTV head Siddharth Roy Kapur, cast her vote at a Chembur booth. When asked about her voting in Chembur, she said laughing, "Why not.. this gives me a chance to come to Chembur..I do come often".
"Its my responsibility to vote...To point fingers at others and (if) I face a problem, I need to have this on my finger," she said displaying her inked finger. Yesteryear actress and Rajya Sabha member (nominated)
Rekha came in a track suit to exercise her right to franchise. Actors Sunny Deol and Sonam Kapoor also cast their votes. In suburban Dadar, morning walkers armed with their photo voter slips arrived at polling stations and were seen searching for their names in the voter rolls before entering booths.
Aamir Khan, who cast his vote in suburban Bandra, said, "Voting is an important process in democracy. It is my duty as an Indian to vote."
Yesteryear star Dharmendra, Bollywood lyricist Prasoon Joshi also cast their vote in the Western suburbs. Joshi, who is set to fly out of the country for IIFA, said, "Voting is the responsibility not just once in five years but it should be a constant co-creation."
It is said that lyricist and Rajya Sabha MP Javed Akhtar and wife Shabana Azmi (a former RS MP), besides actress Sonakshi Sinha, whose father Shatrughan Sinha is a BJP candidate in Patna Sahib, have given voting a miss to attend IIFA in the US. When asked about their absence, Joshi said, "It is best that they answer. All names you have mentioned are responsible citizens."
Kirron Kher, who is in the election battle as a BJP candidate from Chandigarh, tweeted, "Sikandar and I just voted. Go Mumbai go and vote." Mega star Amitabh Bachchan, 71, wrote on his blog last night: "Its voting hour tomorrow... the members shall go to vote as shall millions of others, to decide for the future of the nation, the future of the leaders that shall lead us into the next, and the next."
Juhi Chawla, 46, said she voted for the first time. "Cast my vote in a general election for the first time!!! So happy to have done my duty... I voted for change !!! Grr !!," Juhi wrote.
Actress Anushka Sharma said she would not be able to cast her vote due to her shooting schedule but those who are in the city should go.
"I urge everyone to cast your vote today. Everyone counts and matters. Take the responsibility towards a better tomorrow. I am shooting in Rajasthan so wouldn't be able to vote. But everyone who can please do." Soha Ali Khan reminded Mumbaikars that they were not very active in last elections.
"In the 2009 general election Mumbai had the lowest turnout of 41.4 per cent. Today the big day is here again - it's time to stand up and be counted!," she said. Her boyfriend Kunal Khemu, however, was surprised to find his name missing from the list. "In Mira Road the same place that I have been voting from since I was 18 and today my name is not on the list and they tell me I can't vote. Others like me also around. Surprised!! Won't give up though," he tweeted.
Sonam said, "It is good to vote for those who make legitimate promises."
Bollywood's 'King Khan' seemed excited to exercise his right too!
Most times I don't even get to choose the channel I want to watch on tv. Today I have an opportunity to choose my country's future. Awesome!
— SHAH RUKH KHAN (@iamsrk) April 24, 2014Kunal Kholi was one among other Bollywood celebrities to take to social media to show-off their inked finger.
C'mon Mumbai show me your finger #Elections2014 I voted.Have you? pic.twitter.com/nlvjaA45qE
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) April 24, 2014Bollywood actor Rahul Bose was the third voter in line to cast his vote. He tweeted:
And so it is done. 7.13am. Third voter in the booth. Mumbai, aaple vote tak. Mahatvaca aahe. pic.twitter.com/ewBTOXk7iH
— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) April 24, 2014"It's time to stop complaining about the system and take action. Boys and girls either Vote now or forever keep Quiet!," Preity Zinta wrote. Other celebrities who got inked were Shilpa Shetty, Kunal Kapoor, Shreya Ghoshal, Dia Mirza, Farhan Akhtar, John Abraham, Onir and Riteish Deshmukh.