Hindi In Maharashtra? Aamir Khan’s Viral Line During BMC Voting Sets Off Debate

Aamir Khan found himself at the centre of a language debate after delivering a voting appeal in Marathi during the Maharashtra civic elections. The actor stepped out on polling day to cast his vote in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and encouraged citizens to participate in the democratic process.

Speaking to media personnel outside the polling booth, Aamir addressed voters in Marathi, urging them to exercise their right to vote. He was later asked to repeat his message in Hindi, a request that quickly drew attention online due to the ongoing language row in the state.

When prompted to speak in Hindi, the actor responded, “Hindi mein? Yeh Maharashtra hai bhai. (In Hindi? This is Maharashtra.)” He was then informed that the message would be broadcast nationally, after which he repeated his appeal in Hindi. During his Hindi address, Aamir praised the voting arrangements and once again encouraged people to come out and vote.

The brief exchange quickly gained traction on social media, with users offering sharply divided opinions. While some praised his choice to speak in Marathi during the Maharashtra civic polls , others questioned the hesitation to immediately switch languages. A few online reactions described his tone as sarcastic, while others defended him, suggesting his remark was being misinterpreted.

The incident comes at a time when language identity has become a sensitive issue in Maharashtra politics. The debate over Marathi versus Hindi has resurfaced during the BMC elections, with discussions around linguistic identity and regional representation dominating public discourse.

As per past reports, Aamir has spoken openly about his personal journey with the Marathi language. Despite having studied it in school, he once admitted that he only began learning Marathi seriously later in life. In a previous interview, he said, “When I was around 44, I realised that I do not know the Marathi language. Although Marathi is taught in school, I did not pay much attention. I felt that it was a matter of shame that I did not know my Rajyabhasha. Then, I hired a Marathi teacher and I learned Marathi from him. Now, I am able to speak decent Marathi.”

The Maharashtra municipal corporation elections were held across multiple civic bodies, including key urban centres. Voting took place smoothly, with results expected shortly after polling concluded. Several well-known figures from the entertainment industry were also seen participating in the electoral process, highlighting the significance of the civic polls.

Meanwhile, the language row continues to spark debate, with opinions split between protecting regional identity and accommodating linguistic diversity. Aamir Khan’s brief interaction at the polling booth has added a new chapter to this ongoing conversation, once again placing language politics at the forefront during election season.