Hema Malini confronted by voters for not standing in queue at polling booth
Bollywood veteran actor and politician Hema Malini found herself at the center of an unexpected confrontation while casting her vote on Thursday morning during the Maharashtra Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
What began as a routine polling visit quickly drew attention when members of the public questioned the process at the voting centre.
Hema Malini was among several film industry personalities who arrived early to participate in the civic polls today on January 15.
After voting, she displayed her inked finger and addressed the media stationed outside the polling booth. However, the moment took a tense turn when an agitated citizen publicly confronted her, alleging preferential treatment and mismanagement at the centre.
A video that began circulating widely on social media shows the confrontation unfolding as Hema Malini spoke to reporters.
A visibly upset bystander voiced his frustration over long waiting times and lack of order, saying, “We have been here for the last 60 years, and there is chaos here for the first time. I am here since 7.45 AM, and it was at 9.30 AM when I voted. Nobody is answerable. Nobody is accountable! Not even a local worker is there.”
ANGRY Common Citizens Confront Hema Malini As She Gets a Special Treatment By Election Commission and Citizens Were Left Standing.#HemaMalini #BMCElection2026 pic.twitter.com/YMaKUi7qPy
— $@M (@SAMTHEBESTEST_) January 15, 2026
As the situation escalated, Hema Malini called in a member of her team to address the complaint.
She then continued speaking to the press, emphasizing the importance of voter participation.
She stated, “Sab logo ko vote dene ke liye aana chahiye. Jaise abhi subah main aa gayi hoon vote dene. Mera aagey bohot kaam hain woh bhi karenge (Everyone must come to vote. Like I have come to vote in the morning itself. I have a lot of work to do, which will happen next). But this is very important for every citizen of Mumbai.”
Despite the brief disruption, polling activity across Mumbai continued as scheduled. Several other Bollywood celebrities were also seen at polling booths across the city exercising their right to vote.
These included Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna, Sanya Malhotra, John Abraham, Tamannaah Bhatia, Zoya Akhtar, Divya Dutta, Nana Patekar, and Vishal Dadlani.
According to the State Election Commission, polling commenced at 7.30 am and will conclude at 5.30 pm.
Vote counting is scheduled for Friday, January 16. The Commission confirmed that extensive arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth voting process.
For the municipal corporation elections, 43,958 control units and 87,916 ballot units of Electronic Voting Machines have been deployed. Specifically for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, authorities have arranged 11,349 control units and 22,698 ballot units.