Poll season: Bollywood seeks change in political system

Mumbai: They might be a part of the world of fiction, but Bollywood celebrities are well in touch with the poll scenario in the country and are calling for a change. With Lok Sabha elections going on, several B-town celebrities insist that voting is essential and some have voiced their opinion on how their dream India should be like.

"I think the present government failed on most of the fronts, corruption happened directly or indirectly. I would definitely need a change in political system. We need a stable and strong government. I would urge everyone to vote," noted actor Anupam Kher told PTI.

"I want the government to look into the increasing prices, internal security and terrorism issues, have strong foreign policy. As a celebrity I would expect some changes in terms of tax for the entertainment industry," he said. Kher's short film 'I Went Shopping for Robert De Niro' will be premiered on the second day of the the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Florida, US. The awards will be held at Tampa Bay from April 23-26.

"My wife Kirron and son Sikander will be here during elections. I am yet to take a call on this (voting)," he said. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has appealed his fans to vote during the election.

"We want to live in a happy country. After watching things on TV and reading about people, I think they are intelligent enough to make up their mind on whom to vote for and whom not to," Shah Rukh said.

Actress Deepika Padukone hopes the promises made by politicians are fulfilled this time. "I feel we need change (in political system). I think it is the sentiment that most people feel. There are promises being made when we are to vote. This time I hope more number of youths will vote. I feel and hope all the promises made will be lived upto," she said.

"There are many issues and things that need to be addressed but I don't want to get into it," she said. Deepika would be attending the IIFA awards but being an Indian, for her voting is essential. "I would vote first and then fly to IIFA," she said.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha hopes for a better and clean India. "I would want India to stay corruption free... everyone is fed up of that main root problem and also the petrol prices," she said. "We as a nation are looking for change and are serious about it. I believe it is time for change and that change will come. My father has always taught us irrespective of the party whoever is doing well or delivering good one must vote for that party," said Sonakshi, whose father, noted actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha, is contesting from Bihar on BJP ticket.

Prakash Jha, known for making socio-political films, feels India badly needs a "modern Gandhi" today. In his last directorial venture 'Satyagraha', Jha reflected upon the uprising of the middle class against a corrupt and unjust system and how turn of events leads to a movement to challenge the status quo.

"Today the common man is not angry because of the corruption in the country, he is angry because he is a victim of corruption. Things like death due to negligence or a common man fighting the system to get his pension are very common phenomena in our country," Jha said.

"I have tried to highlight these issues in my film. I feel Mahtama Gandhi was a great human being, a great leader, a great inspiration for the entire country and India badly needs a modern Gandhi today," he said. Jha is fighting from the West Champaran seat on a Janata Dal-United ticket.

Actor Sunny Deol also feels the country needs a change. "We definitely need change. We need people who are positive and who will go out and do the needful," he said. Superstar Aamir Khan highlighted the importance of voting in his final episode of 'Satyamev Jayate 2' show last month.

The younger lot of actors also stress on the importance of voting. "I am going to vote and I think it is the responsibility of every Indian citizen to vote. Voting will help bring the right people to power, otherwise we don't have the right to complain about things," actor Arjun Kapoor of 'Ishaqzaade' fame said.

"Voting is not only a responsibility but a duty as well. We as citizens of India must take care of our country and voting is the first step towards it," Varun Dhawan, who entered the Bollywood with Karan Johar's 'Student of the Year', said.