Mumbai, April 10 (IANS): Actress Soha Ali Khan says she has chosen to skip attending the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards in Tampa Bay, Florida later this month to be in Mumbai to cast her vote April 24.

The IIFA gala is scheduled for April 23-26, and the voting day for the Mumbai Lok Sabha election falls in the midst of it. Several celebrities are due to fly to Tampa Bay for the ceremony, and that has sparked debate that they are choosing an awards ceremony over voting.

Soha said she is aware of the debate.

“But I am here in Mumbai on April 24, the voting day in Mumbai. I had got many other invites in the month of April. I also had got an invitation for IIFA, but I am not going anywhere because voting is my priority,” Soha told IANS.

The daughter of veteran actress Sharmila Tagore and late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, did not wish to comment on other actors who will not be in the country on the voting day.

"I can’t speak for others but I will certainly encourage everyone to vote,” she said.

Meawnhile, a host of film celebrities have been urging citizens to cast their vote.

Hrithik Roshan, Anupam Kher, Shahid Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Farhan Akhtar are due to attend the event.