Bollywood makes a beeline to the booth

Bollwood actors like Aamir Khan, Sohail Ali Khan and Preeti Zinta were at the polling booth in suburban Bandra early on Thursday morning.

Flaunting their fingers inked with purple indelible ink, they came out of the booths and urged Mumbaikars to go out and vote — specially since the city is notorious for its poor — about 40 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.” Zinta, on being asked about other film celebs who are attending the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in Florida, said: “It is on my conscience to vote, I cannot speak for others.

“Why is the media 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 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.”

Under the scorching sun veteran lyricist Gulzar and Bollywood baddie 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.”

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