As the final phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 unfolded across various regions of India, prominent actors took to the polling booths, exercising their democratic rights and voicing the importance of voting. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, among those recruited by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to champion the cause of voter participation, cast his vote in Chandigarh. After fulfilling his civic duty, Khurrana emphasized the significance of voting, stating, “I think we all should vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Voting gives a sense of empowerment.”
He elaborated further, noting the responsibility placed on him by the ECI to inspire young voters. “The Election Commission of India brought me in for the campaign, so it was a big responsibility for me. That is why I came from Chandigarh to Bombay just to vote and also to encourage everyone to participate and choose who will serve us for the next five years,” Ayushmann added.
In an effort to galvanize the youth, Ayushmann displayed his inked finger proudly, showcasing the indelible mark symbolizing his participation. “I came back to my city to cast my vote and exercise my right… Mumbai recorded a very low voter turnout this time but we should cast our votes,” he reiterated.
Joining him in demonstrating civic engagement, Bollywood star and BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi constituency, Kangana Ranaut, also cast her vote. She, too, appealed to the masses to partake in the “festival of democracy”. After casting her vote, Kangana commented, “I have cast my vote right now. I want to appeal to the people to take part in the festival of democracy and exercise their right to vote. So many people had to shed their blood so that we get the right to vote, so use this right.”
Kangana expressed hope in her constituency, stating, “I am hopeful that the people of Mandi will bless me, and we will get all four seats of the state.
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Meanwhile, Bengali actress and former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Nusrat Jahan cast her vote at a polling booth in Abdul Wahid Memorial School in Shikarpur, Kolkata, West Bengal. Dressed in traditional Indian attire, Nusrat posed for photographs, proudly displaying her inked finger. Nusrat, who began her film career with ‘Shotru’ in 2011 and has since starred in several Bengali films, emphasized the importance of exercising one’s voting rights.
The fervor of the elections was not limited to a single region. Bhojpuri actor and politician Dinesh Lal Yadav, also known as Nirahua, cast his vote in Ghazipur, accompanied by his mother Chandrajyoti Yadav. Reflecting on his journey from a village boy to a member of the largest Panchayat of India, Nirahua stated, “The boy from this village has reached the largest Panchayat of India. One vote holds power in this democracy. I appeal to everyone to cast their vote; it’s your right.”
Also spotted fulfilling his electoral duties was veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty, who cast his vote at a polling station in Belgachia, Kolkata. Draped in a black kurta, along with a matching cap and sunglasses, Mithun expressed his commitment to his party and the electoral process. “I am a BJP cadre, I have done my duty. I will talk about films from tomorrow because I have to feed my family too,” he told ANI.
Known for his diverse filmography, Mithun Chakraborty made his acting debut with the art house drama ‘Mrigayaa’ in 1976. He found commercial success with ‘Disco Dancer’ in 1982 and continued to make his mark in films such as ‘Agneepath’, ‘Taqdeer’, ‘Baat Ban Jaye’, and ‘Gunahon Ka Devta’. His latest appearance was in Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Kashmir Files’, a film based on the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Hindus.
This election season has seen a mixture of stars and politicians urging people to perform their democratic duties, promoting the message that every vote counts in shaping the future of the nation. Indian celebrities have proven that they are not just entertainers but responsible citizens who recognize the power of their vote. The final phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 thus became not just a political event, but also a vivid demonstration of civic engagement and the collective responsibility shared by all Indians.
(With inputs from Agencies)
