Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Akshay Kumar votes for first time after getting Indian citizenship

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar looked visibly happy and proud as he cast hisvote for first time since becoming an Indian citizen. The star earlier had a Canadian citizenship.

On Monday asvoters came out early to vote in Mumbaiduring the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Akshay Kumar looked enthusiastic to exercise his democratic right. In a video that is now going viral, the actor was seen casting his vote at a designated polling booth. He is seen smiling and waving to the paparazzi before speaking to the media.

Akshay Kumar addressed media after voting

He showed his ink-stained finger and told the media, "I want my India to be developed and strong. I voted, keeping that in mind. India should vote for what it deems right... I think voter turnout will be good (in Mumbai)..."

When asked about casting a vote for the first time after getting an Indian citizenship, the actor said, “This is great! I am feeling very good!”

#WATCH | Actor Akshay Kumar shows the indelible ink mark on his finger after casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

He says, "...I want my India to be developed and strong. I voted keeping that in mind. India should vote for what they deem is right...I think voter… pic.twitter.com/mN9C9dlvRD — ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024

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Akshay Kumar recently became an Indian citizen. In early August 2023, he shared a picture ofgovernment documents proving that he has finally got his Indian citizenship. He posted on X, "Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani (Heart and citizenship, both Indian). Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind.”

Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani.
Happy Independence Day!
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/DLH0DtbGxk — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 15, 2023

At the time, he told ANI about getting Indian citizenship, “For 9 to 10 years I didn't go there. It's a very nice place and one of my best friends is there. I decided that I should take my citizenship. It was just a coincidence that I had received a letter on 15th August that I had got citizenship. But it is not just a passport, it is your mind, it is your heart, it's your soul that has to be Indian. What is the point if I do have an Indian passport but my soul mind and heart are not Indian?”

When and why did Akshay get Canadian citizenship?

As for how he got Canadian citizenship, thestory goes back to the 1990s. Adozen of his films during the period failed at the box office in a row because of which he applied for a Canadian Citizenship. However,he stayed backand is now one of the most bankable and successful actors in the Indian Hindi film industry (Bollywood).

In 2019, Akshay Kumar renounced his Canadian citizenship, but the process took a long time to complete due to the Covid-19 pandemic.