On a crisp Thursday morning in Mumbai, January 15, 2026, a familiar face arrived at a polling booth in Bandra. Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, known for his action roles and patriotic films, was there not as a hero on screen, but as a citizen fulfilling his most fundamental democratic duty: voting in the BMC elections.
He wasn’t alone. His wife, author and producer Twinkle Khanna, stood beside him, both casting their ballots early in the day. Their appearance wasn’t just a photo op; it was a deliberate call to action for millions of Mumbaikars who might be on the fence about participating in what many consider a local, even mundane, election .
Table of Contents
- The Celebrity Call to Action
- What Are the BMC Elections and Why Do They Matter?
- Beyond the Pothole: The Real Power of the BMC
- Why Your Vote is Your “Remote Control”
- Conclusion: A City Shaped by Its Citizens
- Sources
The Celebrity Call to Action
Akshay Kumar didn’t just drop his ballot and leave. He took a moment to speak to the press, delivering a now-viral analogy. He called election day the citizen’s “remote control” day—the one time you get to truly change the channel on your city’s governance . It’s a simple yet profound message that cuts through the noise of political rhetoric.
Twinkle Khanna echoed this sentiment from a different angle, focusing on the personal empowerment that comes with voting. She described the act as providing a tangible “sense of control and power” over the immediate environment in which you live . In a city as vast and chaotic as Mumbai, that feeling of agency can be a rare and precious thing.
Their participation is part of a larger trend of celebrities, including Sachin Tendulkar and Reena Dutta, using their platform to drive voter turnout for these critical municipal polls [[13], [14]]. While some may dismiss it as performative, the reach of these messages is undeniable, especially among younger demographics who might otherwise feel disconnected from local politics.
What Are the BMC Elections and Why Do They Matter?
Held today, January 15, 2026, the BMC elections are a massive logistical and political undertaking. Across Mumbai’s 227 wards, nearly 1,700 candidates are vying for seats in what is often dubbed the “richest municipal corporation in Asia” . Polling stations were open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, inviting millions of citizens to decide the fate of their local government .
But why should you care about who runs your ward? Because the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) isn’t just some distant bureaucracy. It’s the entity that directly controls the quality of your daily life in ways that national or even state politics often cannot.
Beyond the Pothole: The Real Power of the BMC
Most people associate the BMC with fixing potholes or managing garbage collection. While those are critical functions, the corporation’s mandate is far more extensive. The BMC is responsible for a staggering array of essential services that form the backbone of the city [[16], [17]].
Here’s a quick look at the BMC’s key responsibilities:
- Public Health & Hospitals: Running a network of public hospitals and clinics that serve a massive portion of the city’s population.
- Water & Sanitation: Managing the city’s water supply, sewerage systems, and drainage—critical infrastructure, especially during the monsoon season.
- Education: Overseeing hundreds of municipal schools across Mumbai.
- Urban Planning & Infrastructure: Handling road maintenance, bridges, street lighting, and even the upkeep of public parks and beaches [[19], [23]].
- Building Permissions: Granting or denying construction permits, which directly shapes the city’s skyline and density.
With an annual budget that runs into tens of thousands of crores , the BMC wields enormous financial and administrative power. The decisions made by its elected councillors impact everything from your property tax bill to the safety of your local beach. Ignoring the BMC elections is essentially handing over control of these vital aspects of your life to others.
Why Your Vote is Your “Remote Control”
Akshay Kumar’s “remote control” analogy is spot-on. National elections happen once every five years and deal with broad policy. State elections are a step closer. But the BMC elections are hyper-local. Your councillor is the person you can actually call when your streetlight is out or your building’s water supply is contaminated.
Voting in these elections is the most direct way to hold someone accountable for the issues that affect you *today*. It’s about choosing leaders who understand the unique challenges of your specific neighborhood, whether it’s Dharavi, Juhu, or Ghatkopar.
By participating, you’re not just fulfilling a civic duty; you’re investing in your own quality of life. You’re telling the system that you are an active stakeholder in your city’s future, not just a passive resident. As Twinkle Khanna suggested, it’s a powerful act of self-determination .
Conclusion: A City Shaped by Its Citizens
The sight of Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna at the polling booth is more than just celebrity news. It’s a potent symbol of engaged citizenship. Their message is clear: real heroes aren’t just on movie screens; they’re the ordinary citizens who show up and vote to shape their community’s destiny.
The BMC elections are the bedrock of Mumbai’s democracy. They determine who will manage the city’s immense wealth and resources for the next five years. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Your vote truly is your remote control—use it to build the Mumbai you want to live in.
Sources
- Times of India: BMC elections 2026: Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna cast their vote
- Election Commission of India: Official Website
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation: Official Website