Bollywood stars vote in Mumbai, ask fans to exercise franchise

Several Bollywood stars, including Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor Khan, cast their vote as Mumbai went to polls in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.

Polling is underway for 17 seats in the state, including six in Mumbai.

Aamir, Priyanka and Rekha were among the early voters.

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle, actors Hrithik Roshan, Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Varun Dhawan, Sanjay Dutt and wife Manyata, writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, Gulzar, filmmaker Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra and Prem Chopra also voted.

So did actor and BJP MP Paresh Rawal, who voted in suburban Vile-Parle.

After casting her vote, Kangana told reporters, "It is a very important day, which comes once in five years. So please make use of it.

Under the previous governments, the country was in the "worst state possible", so people should come out in large numbers and "vote for India", she said.

Among the younger stars, Tiger Shroff and Tara Sutaria also voted before flying to Ahmedabad for promoting a film.

Actor Urmila Matondkar, Congress candidate from Mumbai-North, was also among the early voters.

"Nothing feels better than making a contribution towards your country and carrying out your civic duty of casting a vote. Do your duty," Matondkar said.

Posting a selfie showing her inked finger on Twitter, Priyanka Chopra wrote, "This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts. #LokSabhaElections2019."
Amrita Rao, who cast her vote in Mahim, told PTI that "voting is important for everyone irrespective of their status."