Bollwood actors Aamir Khan, Sohail Khan, and Preeti Zinta got themselves inked early on Thursday morning, in suburban Bandra.
Flaunting their finger, inked with the purple indelible ink, they came out of the polling booths and urged Mumbaikars to go out and vote – specially since the city is notorious for its poor, about-forty percentage turnout in the past.
Aamir Khan, who is the Election Commission’s brand ambassador, said, “Voting is an important process in democracy. It is my duty as an Indian to vote.”
Preeti, on being asked about other celebs who are attending the IIFA, International Indian Film Academy Awards, in Florida, said, “It is on my conscience to vote, I can not speak for others. Why media is always interested in negative stories in this historical election? Voting is the best form of activism in addition to the candle march, rallies and cyber activism.”
Sohail dodged questions on whether he missed his brother, Salman Khan, on voting day.
The sitting MP of Mumbai North West constituency Priya Dutt also turned up to vote with her husband and said, “ Sanjay and I used to come to vote, and this time (it) is different.” Amidst frenzied media and under the scorching sun, veteran lyricist Gulzar and veteran Bollywood actor Prem Chopra also came in to vote. Author Chetan Bhagat, who came in later in the morning, said he was voting for change.
Despite the glamour, the polling booth - St Annes High school - had its fair share of glitches and discomfort for the voters. For instance, 65-year-old Rita Pstongy said, “In the polling booth, there is nowhere to sit. There are dingy and dirty toilets, officials are at ease when we have been queuing to vote.”
(The writer is an intern with Business Line)