Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been asking artistes across the country to use their star power to sensitise and create awareness about voting. From actors participating in collectives in creating videos talking about “voting for change” to making public announcements and issuing notices asking their fans to cast vote in the largest democracy elections, this election season is all about voting right.
Megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who has been vocal on many issues that plague the society at large, has now come forward to create awareness among fans, asking them to vote.
Beginning last month, actors like Rajkummar Rao, Ayushmann Khurana, Anushka Sharma, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh had all appealed to the people of the country to vote, after the PM made a special appeal on Twitter.
With messages that took quotes and taglines from the actors’ films, many participated in the initiative.
Shah Rukh Khan took to Twitter to reply to the PM, saying, “PM sahib @narendramodi ne creativity ki liye bola tha. Main thoda late ho gaya video banane mein…aap mat hona Vote karne mein!!! ‘Voting is not only our Right, it is our Power.’ Please Use It. Thank u to @tanishkbagchi @abbyviral @parakramsinghr .
PM sahib @narendramodi ne creativity ki liye bola tha. Main thoda late ho gaya video banane mein…aap mat hona Vote karne mein!!! ‘Voting is not only our Right, it is our Power.’ Please Use It. Thank u to @tanishkbagchi @abbyviral @parakramsinghr . https://t.co/9280i8BnK3
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 22, 2019
Along with the message, the actor also posted a video titled, Karo Matdan, with music composed by Tanishk Bagchi. The video features the veteran actor flaunting an inked finger and rapping to a catchy beat asking people, “vote karo vote karo…”
The video also has a disclaimer attached at the end that says, “This video has been issued in public interest to encourage people to vote. This video does not endorse any political candidate, or political party or any views or positions held by any type of political candidate or party.”
Watch the video here.
Khan had earlier faced a lot of flak on social media for some of his comments and messages. We will have to see how netizens and fans react to this video.
With the political parties fielding many actors in the LS polls 2019, and the PM personally appealing to celebrities to create awareness, it remains to be seen if the star power succeeds in bringing the public to the polling booths in large numbers.
The general elections for the 543-seat 17th Lok Sabha will be held over seven phases. While two phases are already over, the third phase will be conducted tomorrow. The polls will continue till 19 May, and the counting will take place on 23 May.