Mumbaikars cast off some poll-time sloth, 53 per cent vote

Among corporates, Anil Ambani walked into a polling booth at upscale Cuffe Parade locality, not far from his residence ‘Sea Wind'. However, many Bollywood celebrities including Anupam Kher, whose wife Kirron is BJP nominee from Chandigarh, script writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar and his actress wife Shabana Azmi, known for their activism, kept away. So did Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of yesteryear actor-turned politician Shatrughan Sinha, who is locked in an electoral tussle to retain his Patna Saheb seat.

Actor couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, besides Deepika Padukone too gave the polls a miss. All these actors were said to be attending IIFA awards in the US. However, actor Arjun Rampal flew down from Dubai to cast his vote.

“Made it back on time from Dubai to cast my vote. Go Vote and vote right. Every vote counts. Inked cast my vote now hope that we all can make sure the country moves in the right direction,” he tweeted to his followers.

Multi-talented Farhan Akhtar, who has to host the IIFA awards ceremony, made it a point to exercise his franchise too and received praise for that.

“I am sure you are nominated in IIFA, but must appreciate you for voting 1st n then going for awards...good luck...The actual IIFA awards ceremony is on 26th April, stars could have voted and then gone. Even people like Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar didn't bother,” actor Anup Soni tweeted.

Even as several Bollywood bigwigs preferred going to the US for IIFA awards, many people could not cast their ballots as their names had been struck off the electoral rolls and were seen voicing their anger in front of TV cameras. Among them was HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh.

“Every time I cast my vote at this booth but don't know why my name is not in the voters list this time. We made attempts to find out yesterday as well but in vain,” a dejected Parekh said.

Tribal-dominated Nandurbar constituency recorded almost 62 per cent turnout despite mercury soaring 42 degrees Celsius.

Barring a stray incident of clash between Shiv Sena and MNS workers at suburban Trombay which left a constable injured polling was largely peaceful.