CINEHIND

Breaking News

India Pakistan live updates: PM Modi dials Gujarat CM to review state's security; Rajnath meets tri-services chiefs

Hema Malini’s Farm Photos Draw Online Criticism Amidst Election Campaign

Kalyani Jha
12 Apr, 2024

As the Lok Sabha elections 2024 gain momentum, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Mathura constituency candidate Hema Malini found herself at the center of online criticism after sharing photos from her election campaign on social media. The veteran filmstar-turned-politician posed with farmers in the fields, triggering a wave of memes and jokes.

In her social media post, Hema Malini mentioned her regular interactions with farmers over the past decade and expressed joy at being in their midst. However, the post didn’t receive the anticipated positive response and instead became a target for sarcastic comments and humorous remarks.

One commenter referenced Hema Malini’s iconic role in the movie Sholay, humorously connecting her farm visit to the fictional town of Ramgarh. Another comment pointed out the seemingly impractical attire for a farm visit, questioning the choice of Kanjivaram silk and open hair in mid-April. The criticisms ranged from allegations of electioneering theatrics to accusations of insensitivity towards genuine farmer issues.

This isn’t the first time Hema Malini faced backlash for such images. Similar photoshoots during the 2019 election campaign were also met with skepticism and labeled as ‘election drama’ by critics. Some users resurfaced old pictures to highlight what they perceived as a recurring trend of staged photo opportunities.

Despite the online criticism, Hema Malini remains a prominent candidate for the Mathura Lok Sabha seat, representing the BJP for the third consecutive time. Uttar Pradesh, with its significant 80 seats in Parliament, is gearing up for an intense electoral battle across all seven phases. Mathura’s polling is scheduled for April 26, falling in the second phase of the general elections.

As political activities intensify, social media becomes a battleground for public opinion, often amplifying both praise and scrutiny of political figures and their campaign strategies.