Celebrities galore in poll

Breaking the popular myth that the well-heeled ones often stay indoors on election day, the city's creme-le-creme turned up in sizeable numbers to participate in the country's democratic process.

However, many of them had a rude shock when they found their names missing from the voters' list, their celebrity status nothwithstanding.

The media had a hectic day as celebrities and society's Who's-Who turned up at their respective polling booths to cast their vote.

As the jitterburgs went into a tizzy trying to capture the newsmakers casting their ballot, many more were busy trying to capture the agitated faces, the knitted eyebrows and the lost smiles of those who found thier names missing from the list, right in front of media attention.

The early bird celebrities, included, Reliance chief, Anil Ambani, who arrived sweating in his track suit after an early morning jog. The otherwise formally-attired Anil caught in whirlpool of business meetings, took media by surprise when he arrived in a casual sports wear, interestingly flashing his voter card to identify himself.

Thespian Dilip Kumar, actress wife, Saira Banu, actress, Preity Zinta, actor Prem Chopra, actress Shabana Azmi and writer husband, Javed Akhtar were among those who turned up for voting. Noted diva, Lata Mangeshkar, dressed in a white sari with tri-colour border punched in her vote. Father-daughter duo, Mahesh, Pooja Bhatt also cast her vote.

The celebrities from the cricket world to vote included Sachin Tendulkar, accompanied by his wife Anjali. Former India captain Ajit Wadekar also made an appearance.

Screen actors, Aamir Khan, also arrived in his Mangal Pandey get up to cast his vote. Actor Sanjay Dutt arrived straight from Jaisalmer from a shooting to cast his franchise.

The corporate family, Mukesh Ambani, Tina Ambani and Kokila Ambani were among the city's elite who exercised their franchise during the second phase of polling in the state.

From the world of media, Subhash Chandra Goel, also came forward to exercise his franchise,

However, there were quite some disappointment for some of the celebrities like writer Shobha De, industrialist Adi Godrej and Censor Board Chief, Anupam Kher, who found their names missing from the list.

De, who turned up to cast her vote, was disappointed when she saw her name missing and tried to peruse the matter with the election office.

Also enraged over missing names was actress Kajol and her family.

Advertising wizard, Prahlad Kakkar also founding his name not appearing in the electoral list.

Industrialist, Adi Godrej, also spent time hunting for his name in the polling booths.

However, for the media, names missing or present, both provided enough footage and glamour for the day-long electoral coverage, making it a starry event.