Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Indian celebrities who can’t cast their vote and why

As India’s Lok Sabha elections of 2024 unfold, the nation’s commitment to democratic processes is palpable. With the elections being conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, the first phase has already seen a voter turnout of 62%. The excitement is evident as citizens across various states make their way to polling booths, contributing to the shaping of the country’s future. However, amidst this democratic fervor, there are notable personalities from the Indian film industry who will not be casting their votes. This article explores the profiles of these celebrities and the reasons behind their absence from the voting lists.

Image: Alia Bhatt/Instagram, Kalki Koechlin/Instagram

Alia Bhatt has become a household name with her versatile acting skills, recognized for her diverse roles across various genres. Her performances have earned her critical acclaim and a wide fan base. Despite her prominence in Bollywood, Alia is not eligible to vote in Indian elections due to her British citizenship, which she inherits from her mother. This restriction is based on Indian electoral laws that limit voting rights to Indian citizens only. Alia’s case highlights how personal background and legal frameworks intersect, affecting the civic rights of individuals with multinational ties.

Image: Alia Bhatt/Instagram

Katrina Kaif, another prominent figure in Bollywood, is unable to vote in the upcoming Indian elections due to her British nationality. Born in Hong Kong to a British businessman of Kashmiri descent and an English lawyer, Kaif moved to London and then to India to pursue her acting career. Despite her significant contributions to the Indian film industry, her British citizenship disqualifies her from voting in Indian elections.

Image: Katrina Kaif/Instagram

Jacqueliene Fernandez, with her effervescent charm and acting prowess, has become a beloved figure in Bollywood. Her journey from winning the Miss Universe Sri Lanka pageant to becoming a sought-after actress in India is proof of her talent and hard work. Despite her significant presence in the Indian entertainment industry, Jacqueliene’s Sri Lankan citizenship, which she holds due to her birth in Bahrain to a Sri Lankan father and a Malaysian mother, prevents her from voting in Indian elections. This is in line with India’s electoral laws, thereby excluding many international celebrities like her who have made India their professional home

Image: Jacqueliene Fernandez/Instagram

Imran Khan, recognized for his roles that resonate with the young audience in Bollywood, is an American by birth. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, to a software engineer father and a psychologist mother, he moved to India after his parents’ divorce. Despite his active career in the Indian film industry and his familial connection to Bollywood through his uncle, Aamir Khan, Imran’s American citizenship bars him from participating in Indian elections.

Image: Imran Khan/Instagram

Sunny Leone’s transition from the adult film industry to Bollywood has been a significant shift, marking her as a versatile and resilient figure in the entertainment world. Despite her successful integration into the Indian film industry and her popularity among Indian audiences, her Canadian-American citizenship prevents her from voting in Indian elections. According to Indian law, the right to vote is reserved for Indian citizens only, and Leone, who was born in Canada and also holds American citizenship, does not meet this criterion.

Image: Sunny Leone/Instagram

Nora Fatehi, acclaimed for her captivating dance performances in Bollywood, hails from a Canadian-Moroccan background. Born and raised in Canada to Moroccan parents, she has established herself as a prominent performer in the Indian entertainment industry. Despite her fame and the impact she has made on Indian cinema, Nora’s Canadian citizenship means she is not entitled to vote in Indian elections.

Image: Nora Fatehi/Instagram

Nargis Fakhri, an American actress and model, has made a notable impact in Bollywood with her roles in films like “Rockstar” and “Madras Cafe.” Despite her active career in India, Fakhri’s American citizenship, stemming from her birth in Queens, New York to a Pakistani father and a Czech mother, means she is not eligible to vote in Indian elections.

Image: Nargis Fakhri/Instagram

Kalki Koechlin, an actress renowned for her work in Indian cinema, is a French national. Although she was born and raised in India, her French citizenship, inherited from her parents who are French nationals, disqualifies her from voting in Indian elections. Koechlin’s upbringing in Auroville, India, and her education in drama and theatre from Goldsmiths, University of London, have contributed to her diverse and rich career in Bollywood. However, as a citizen of France, her name is not on the electoral roll.

Image: Kalki Koechlin/Instagram

Ileana D’Cruz, an actress known for her roles in Telugu and Hindi cinema, is of Portuguese descent and holds a Portuguese passport. She acquired Portuguese nationality in 2014, which aligns with her family’s history in Goa, a former Portuguese territory. Despite her successful career in India and her connection to Indian culture, her Portuguese citizenship means she is ineligible to vote in Indian elections.

Image: Ileana D'Cruz/Instagram