The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Mumbai was nothing short of a star-studded affair. The city witnessed a significant turnout at the polling booths as prominent figures from the Indian film industry came out to vote, showing off their inked fingers and emphasizing their civic responsibilities. The day was filled with enthusiasm, cheers, and a few unexpected moments, painting a vivid picture of democracy in action. Here are seven highlights from today’s voting scenes, making it a memorable election day in Mumbai.
**Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao: A Show of Unity**
Actor Aamir Khan, along with his ex-wife Kiran Rao, stepped out to perform their civic duty. The duo, despite their separation, arrived together at their designated polling booth, displaying a commendable sense of unity and responsibility. After casting their votes, they proudly showcased their inked fingers to the cameras. Notably, Aamir’s first wife, Reena Dutta, also participated in the voting with their children, Junaid and Ira, posing happily for the paparazzi. Adding to the family affair, Aamir’s mother, Zeenat Hussain, defied age as she too was spotted at a polling station, underscoring the importance of voting irrespective of age.
**Deepika Padukone’s Baby Bump Steals the Show**
Parents-to-be Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh were the highlights at one of Mumbai’s polling stations. The couple, dressed in matching white outfits, radiated joy and drew immense attention. Deepika, with her pregnancy glow, wore an oversized white shirt paired with light blue denim, subtly displaying her baby bump. Ranveer, complementing her look, also sported a white ensemble. Their appearance brought a wave of excitement, with cheers and camera flashes capturing their moments of casting votes, showcasing their commitment to civic duty even during such a special phase of their lives.
**Dharmendra’s Electorate Passion and Heated Moment**
Veteran actor Dharmendra, an enduring icon of Bollywood, also came forth to cast his vote. Clad in his signature black bowler hat, the 88-year-old star was all smiles for the shutterbugs at Juhu’s Jamnabai Narsee School voting booth. His presence added a touch of elegance and nostalgia to the polling process. However, the serene moment turned intense as Dharmendra expressed his frustration with the paparazzi. “Acche shehri bano, desh bhakt bano, maa baap see pyaar karo… aap ko malum hai jo mujhse kehelwana chahte hai,” he exclaimed, urging citizens to be good and patriotic, while also suggesting the paparazzi were attempting to steer his words.
**Paresh Rawal’s Stern Message**
Respected actor Paresh Rawal took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of voting.
. After casting his vote, he engaged with the media to underline the critical role citizens play in electing their government. Rawal didn’t mince words as he held voters accountable, saying, “Then you will say, government doesn’t do this, doesn’t do that… If you will not vote today, then you will be responsible, not the government.” He even suggested sanctions for those who avoid voting, proposing penalties such as increased taxes or other forms of punishment.
**Sanya Malhotra’s Close Call**
Actress Sanya Malhotra experienced a minor scare at her polling booth. As she attempted to navigate the crowd, she nearly got hit by a camera, prompting her to request the paparazzi to be careful. “Arrey, aaram se. Wahan chalke aaram se le lo,” she exclaimed, urging them to move aside before clicking pictures, ensuring safety and decorum at the polling station.
**Gauahar Khan’s Voting Struggle**
Gauahar Khan took to Instagram to share her frustrating experience trying to vote. Despite living at her current address for nine years, she discovered that her and her family’s names were missing from the electoral roll. The ordeal was compounded by the rude behavior of officials at the booth and the presence of nearly 100 other citizens experiencing similar issues. Determined, Gauahar did not give up and eventually found her polling station listed under her 15-year-old address, alongside her senior citizen mother.
**Amit Trivedi Denied Voting Rights**
Popular singer Amit Trivedi shared a disheartening video on X, revealing that despite waiting over 30 minutes, he was unable to cast his vote. Trivedi expressed his helplessness and frustration at being denied his constitutional right. In another post, he clarified that all necessary checks were done in advance and that his family members, who were listed at the same polling booth, faced no such issues, raising questions about the election process.
**Vision in White: Fashion or Functionality?**
A quick look at the celebrities at the Mumbai polls revealed a common fashion trend—they were all donned in white. Whether this was a deliberate synchronized effort or simply a practical choice to cope with the heat, the uniformity in their outfits was striking and added an element of intrigue to the day’s events.
With inputs from ANI, these highlights not only showcased Mumbai’s enthusiasm and star power during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 but also highlighted the challenges and unique moments that make democratic participation a spirited and significant affair.
