Several Bollywood actors, including Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif, hold foreign citizenship, a situation arising from various personal and historical factors. This circumstance prevents them from voting in Indian elections and has, at times, sparked public debate about their national allegiance.
Legal Framework and Citizenship
India does not allow dual citizenship. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1955 mandates that any Indian citizen acquiring citizenship in another country must renounce their Indian citizenship. This legal provision is the primary reason why many Bollywood personalities, who either held foreign citizenship from birth or acquired it later, cannot hold an Indian passport.
Alia Bhatt: British Citizenship
Alia Bhatt, a leading actress in Bollywood, holds British citizenship. She was born in Mumbai, but her mother, Soni Razdan, is of British descent and was born in Birmingham, UK. This makes Alia eligible for British citizenship by descent. In an interview, Alia confirmed that she holds a British passport. Recently, Alia Bhatt's British citizenship has been a topic of discussion after her mother, Soni Razdan, shared a peace petition on Instagram urging India and Pakistan to "stop the hostilities".
Katrina Kaif: British Citizenship
Katrina Kaif, another prominent figure in Bollywood, also holds British citizenship. She was born in Hong Kong to a British father of Kashmiri descent and an English mother. Due to her birth and parentage, she holds British citizenship. Katrina does not have Indian citizenship. She has lived and worked in India for many years, but her British nationality prevents her from voting in Indian elections.
Other Actors with Foreign Citizenship
Besides Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif, several other Bollywood actors hold foreign citizenship. These include:
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
While dual citizenship is not permitted, India offers the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme. This scheme allows individuals of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely, but without the right to vote or hold public office. To be eligible for OCI, the individual must not be a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Impact and Considerations
The fact that some Bollywood actors hold foreign citizenship has occasionally stirred controversy, particularly when these actors express opinions on Indian political or social matters. Some argue that holding foreign citizenship raises questions about their loyalty to India. However, many defend the actors' right to hold their views, emphasizing that they contribute to the Indian economy and society through their work. Also, Soni Razdan has argued that advocating against hate transcends nationality and is rooted in human values.
