Kerala Elections: From Mohanlal To Mammootty, Celebs Caste Votes, Urge Public To Participate

Kerala's Assembly election fever reached its peak on Thursday, with popular film stars turning up in force to cast their votes alongside millions of electors in the high-stakes 2026 polls.

Every political front in the state has much at stake in this crucial battle for power. This election has also seen at least eight celebrities throw their hats into the ring, including actors Ramesh Pisharody, Anjali Nair, and Major Ravi, who are contesting from various constituencies.

Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar, a proven winner from Pathanapuram in Kollam district, is once again seeking re-election from the same seat.

Megastar Mohanlal arrived outside Mudavanmughal Government School in Thiruvananthapuram around 7 am and patiently waited to cast his vote. He was spotted exchanging pleasantries with LDF candidate V. Sivankutty and UDF candidate K. S. Sabarinadhan in the Nemom constituency.

After voting, he took to social media to write: "Done my part. Your turn, Keralam go vote."

A large crowd gathered in Ponnuruni, Kochi, when superstar Mammootty arrived with his family to cast their ballots. Speaking to the media, he said, "This is an opportunity that comes once every five years. People must come forward and vote."

Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, along with his wife Supriya, cast their votes at a polling booth in Thevara, Kochi.

Meanwhile, Ahaana Krishnakumar, daughter of actor K. Krishnakumar (who previously contested on an NDA ticket), arrived at a polling booth in Thiruvananthapuram with her family. She remarked, "I believe people, including the younger generation, are fully aware of their voting rights. Thanks to social media, everyone has more information, which makes it easier for them to make a decision and vote."

Actor Asif Ali cast his vote in Thodupuzha and made it clear that he never discloses which candidate he supports. He stressed that the government must safeguard freedom of expression. "I have always maintained that the government should be accessible and interactive," he said.

He also revealed that he had initially been willing to campaign for friends, only to realise later that they belonged to different political fronts. Referring to veteran Kerala Congress leader P. J. Joseph opting not to contest and instead handing the seat to his son Apu John Joseph, Ali called it a sign of maturity. "Senior leaders should make way for the younger generation," he added.

Actor and sitting MLA Mukesh described elections as more thrilling and impactful than any suspense thriller. "We get to see over a month of hard work, followed by another month of waiting for the results," he said. Mukesh, who was denied a ticket from Kollam by the LDF, remains confident that the front will retain power and also win the Kollam seat.

Actor Jagadish, who has contested on a Congress ticket in the past, admitted he is unsure if he can handle politics the way he handles acting. On the current poll scenario, he noted that while two fronts are fighting for power, a third is trying to establish a foothold in the state. He added that the votes secured by third candidates in each constituency could prove decisive, making predictions difficult. "Anti-incumbency is a reality every government faces. The first Pinarayi Vijayan government faced it too. But its handling of Covid-19 and the floods earned public trust, which led to its return. No such situation exists now," he said.

Actor Kunchacko Boban, who cast his vote in Alappuzha, said good governance should prevail regardless of who comes to power. "Whether it is the Left or the Right, like everyone else, I want a government that is straight and honest," he said.

Actor Tovino Thomas arrived at his polling station with his family and said he has never missed an opportunity to vote. "It is both our right and our responsibility to protect democracy," he stated. He added that actors who enter politics do so by giving up their film careers and are sincere in their efforts, though winning elections and growing in politics are entirely different challenges.

With inputs from PTI