Shahrukh takes an IPL break to cast his vote

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will take a
break from following his Kolkata Knight Riders team in the Indian Premier
League tournament being played across South Africa to cast his vote in the
Indian elections. Having politely declined earlier offers to join political
rallies of any South African parties in the run-up to the elections in South
Africa last Wednesday, which was overwhelmingly won by the African National
Congress (ANC), Khan will head back to India on Wednesday (April 29),
together with his family, wife Gauri and children Aryan and Suhana. Khan had
reportedly been approached by ANC leaders in Durban prior to the first IPL
games there a few days before the elections.

Other IPL team owners Preity Zinta of the Kings
XI Punjab and Shilpa Shetty of the Rajasthan Royals had reportedly also
declined offers to appear at political rallies. Zinta said they had to
maintain their political neutrality, just as they did in India. None of the
Bollywood stars would comment on the political mantle that has been assumed
by one of their ilk, Sanjay Dutt, who is embroiled in a controversy with his
participation in the Indian elections.

Dutt had been widely publicised as putting in
an appearance at an ANC rally in Durban last month, but failed to appear,
citing personal problems. Khan said he had warned his team that if they did
well in his absence, he would return; if not, he would be shouting at them
from India.