Akshay Kumar votes for the first time in India, says 'I voted for India to be a developed nation and urge others to vote too'

The actor was all smiles and happy to have cast his vote for 'viksit Bharat.'

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who recently became the citizen of India after giving up his Canadian passport, was an early voter in Mumbai.

It was his first-time casting vote and the Khiladi Kumar reached the polling booth at sharp 7 am.

The actor was all smiles and happy to have cast his vote for 'viksit Bharat.'

Akshay, who has just wrapped up the shoot of 'Jolly LLB 3' with Arshad Warsi in Ajmer, was dressed in casuals as he stepped out to cast his vote.

While coming out after casting his vote, Akshay spoke with the media, he told reporters: "Mera Bharat viksit rahe and bas ussi ko dimag mein rakhte hue maine vote kiya. Ussi hisaab se poora Bharat vote kare, jo unke dimaag mein sahi lage." (I voted keeping in mind development of my India and all the voters should keep this in mind and vote for the right candidate according to them).

The actor was asked about Mumbaikars not coming out in good numbers to cast their vote, to this Akshay said when he reached his polling booth there were around 500-600 people at the booth, so he is confident that people will come out and vote.

"I feel people will come out in large numbers this time and vote. When I reached the polling booth at 7 am,  I saw around 500-600 people inside. So, I am sure it will be good only," he said.

The actor stood in line waiting for his turn to cast the vote, when asked since he is a Bollywood celeb then why? To this Akshay playfully replied: "Toh kya karoon, line tod ke aage nikal jaon?"

Akshay told reporters; he is really happy to have been able to cast his vote.

"I am feeling very good, and it is a nice feeling to be able to cast my vote," said Akshay as he left.

Akshay became an Indian citizen on August 15, 2023.

Earlier, actors Jahnvi Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Farhan Akhtar, his mother Honey Irani and sister Zoya Akhtar also reached early to cast their votes.

Maharashtra will conduct polling in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies, including six in Mumbai, in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on Monday (May 20). This marks the final polling process in the state, which has been conducted over five phases: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20.