Bollywood actor and BJP MP Hema Malini faced angry voters at a polling booth in Juhu on Thursday morning after allegations that she was allowed to vote without standing in the queue. The incident took place during the ongoing civic elections, when a senior citizen confronted her in front of media cameras, saying he had been waiting since 7.45 am while others were being taken ahead.
Malini arrived at the polling station early in the day to cast her vote. As she stepped out and spoke briefly to reporters, an elderly man raised his voice, accusing the authorities of mismanagement and favouritism. He said voters had been standing in line for hours with no clarity, while celebrities and public figures were being allowed to move faster. The exchange grew tense, drawing attention from other voters and polling staff.
Videos of the confrontation quickly circulated on social media, triggering sharp reactions online. Many users questioned the crowd management at polling booths and flagged the difficulties faced by senior citizens. Some defended Malini, saying public representatives often have security protocols, while others said the anger of voters was understandable given the long wait and confusion at the booth.
Responding to the situation, Malini maintained that she had arrived early like other voters and urged people not to lose faith in the process. She appealed to citizens to exercise their right to vote and said issues such as safety, roads and pollution needed serious attention. Her staff attempted to calm the situation as polling officials stepped in to manage the crowd.
The incident highlighted broader complaints reported from several parts of the city, where voters flagged delays, missing names on voter lists and poor queue management. Senior citizens were among the worst affected at multiple booths. Election officials have said arrangements were in place and that additional staff were deployed where crowds built up.
As voting continued through the day, the episode served as a reminder of the public mood during elections, where patience runs thin and scrutiny of public figures remains high. For many voters, the focus remained on smoother polling and equal treatment at booths, regardless of status or recognition.
