Vote First: Jayam Ravi Faces Backlash After Spotting In Tirupati With Girlfriend Kenishaa On Election Day

Tamil actor Jayam Ravi found himself at the centre of a social media storm on Thursday, after he was spotted far away from polling booths on a crucial day back home. As crores of voters queued up across Tamil Nadu to cast their ballots in the high-stakes Assembly elections, the actor chose a different path - one that has now triggered intense online debate.

Ravi, also known as Ravi Mohan, was seen visiting the sacred Tirumala Temple in Andhra Pradesh along with his rumoured girlfriend Kenishaa Francis. The two offered prayers at the hill shrine and were also seen interacting with fans. Videos and photos of the visit quickly surfaced online, showing the actor smiling, posing for selfies, and appearing relaxed amid the spiritual setting.

However, what might have otherwise been dismissed as a personal visit soon snowballed into controversy, as netizens began questioning his absence from the voting process in Tamil Nadu. With voter awareness campaigns urging citizens to treat voting as a fundamental responsibility, many users expressed disappointment over the actor's apparent decision to skip polling day duties.

Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with reactions. One user bluntly wrote in Tamil, "Please go and vote first," echoing a sentiment that quickly gained traction. Another went further, suggesting that stricter laws should be introduced against those who fail to fulfil their democratic duty without valid reason. "A law must be enacted to take action against those who evade voting," the comment read.

Criticism intensified with some calling his actions "utter nonsense," arguing that a temple visit could have easily been scheduled after voting. The debate also took a political turn, with a fan of Vijay alleging that Ravi had earlier been vocal about "Vijay anna" but failed to back it up by participating in the electoral process.

Adding another layer to the controversy is Ravi's personal life, which has been under public scrutiny for months. The actor had announced his separation from his wife Aarti Ravi in September 2024. The divorce proceedings are currently ongoing, with Aarti reportedly contesting the process. The matter is being heard in a family court in Chennai, where mediation efforts are underway.

Interestingly, during the 2024 Indian general election, Ravi had cast his vote alongside Aarti, presenting a united front despite underlying tensions. This contrast has only added fuel to the present criticism, with many questioning what has changed since then.

Meanwhile, some users also raised practical questions, wondering whether the actor might not have been eligible to vote in Tamil Nadu this time, though no clarification has been issued from his side.

As the debate continues to trend online, the episode highlights the growing expectation from public figures to not only participate in democracy but also set an example. For celebrities like Jayam Ravi, even personal choices - such as a temple visit - can quickly turn into public discourse, especially on a day when civic responsibility takes centre stage.