Mumbai, January 16, 2026: A heated exchange unfolded at a polling station in Juhu on Thursday as veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini faced sharp criticism from an irate voter amid reports of long queues and administrative chaos during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
Hema Malini, the sitting Lok Sabha representative from Mathura and a Mumbai resident, arrived early to exercise her franchise on January 15. After casting her vote, she stepped out, proudly displayed her inked finger, and spoke to waiting media personnel, urging Mumbaikars to participate in the democratic process.
“I urge everyone to come out and vote. Just like I came this morning to vote,” she said. “If you want security, progress, clean air, pothole-free roads, and overall development in Mumbai, we all have to take responsibility and vote. This is very important for every citizen of Mumbai.”
Her appeal, however, was interrupted when a senior citizen, visibly frustrated after waiting in line since 7:45 AM, confronted her directly. In a video that quickly went viral on social media, the voter accused the polling station of mismanagement and lack of accountability.
“We have been here for the last 60 years, and there is chaos here for the first time,” the man said. “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.”
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The voter further alleged preferential treatment for VIPs like Malini, who appeared to bypass the long queues that ordinary citizens endured for hours. Others nearby echoed similar grievances about delays and disorganisation at the booth.
Visibly unsettled by the confrontation, Malini gestured to a member of her team to intervene as she attempted to reassure the voter that his concerns would be noted. She maintained composure while reiterating the need for high voter turnout to bring change to the city, describing Mumbai as “the best city in the world, but it can be better.”
The incident highlighted broader complaints from voters across Mumbai on polling day, including extended waiting times and logistical issues at several centres. Polling for the BMC elections ran from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM across 893 wards, with over 3.48 crore eligible voters and thousands of candidates in contention.
Malini was among several Bollywood celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Vicky Kaushal, who turned out to vote and encouraged civic participation.
The viral clip has sparked online debates about VIP privileges at polling stations and the challenges faced by common voters. Election authorities have maintained that adequate measures, including sufficient Electronic Voting Machines, were in place to ensure smooth proceedings.
