Dream Girl Hema Malini seeks second term in constituency of Gods

MATHURA: As she steps out — dressed in a pink silk sari with a matching blouse and a bead necklace — for another day of campaigning, her wrinkle-free face radiates effortless charm. To say that 70-year-old Hema Malini’s agility defies her age is an understatement. The sobriquet, Dream Girl, is still the best way to define her.
The day begins with her favourite breakfast of ‘rava idli’, chutney and some fruits with sprouts.“I love South Indian food,” she says, as she steps into her black Mercedes SUV. “There is no anti-incumbency,” declares the sitting MP, who has come to seek a second term from the ‘constituency of Gods’. She, however, doesn’t forget to add: “Anyway, this election is not about me but about a strong India and a strong Prime Minister.”
“It’s Modi versus the rest. A vote for me would be a vote for Modi,” she says what she reminds the voters also. When asked about the oft-repeated allegation that she remains absent from the constituency and has not been able to ensure much development work, she quips: “Jhooth hai.” Next, she immediately calls an aide who hands over a list of her ‘achievements’ in Mathura. “Isme sab hai (This has everything),” she says.
As her SUV heads towards Chhata constituency, the heat becomes uncomfortable. “AC tez karo”, she tells her driver, as the vehicle enters narrow lanes. With her security personnel walking by the side of her SUV, Hema waves to residents who have lined up along the street to have a glimpse of her.
The information that the actor-MP is around spreads quickly and there are small crowds at almost every nook and corner of the street. Her SUV, however, doesn’t stop and she continues to wave and smile from behind the rolled up windows. The first stop is at Aajhai Village in the constituency of UP minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary.
As the SUV comes to a halt and the driver presses the button for opening the sunroof, a ‘spot boy’ rushes with an umbrella and stands besides the vehicle and waits for the star to emerge. She stands on the front seat and greets the people with folded hands. As garlands and flowers are showered on her, her security personnel have a tough time keeping selfie lovers at bay but many manage to reach the vehicle and she obliges them with a picture.
Though the car has a public address system, Hema barely speaks to the crowds. As she greets people, some youngsters from the crowds ask her to speak her famous dialogue from epic Bollywood film Sholay. After some hesitation, Hema agrees and amid cheers she mechanically repeats, “Chal dhanno.....”.
“This happens wherever I go,” she says as her vehicle moves ahead. At next stop, villagers offer him a painting of Lord Krishna. As her convoy criss-crosses the narrow but well-paved streets of Chhata, she proudly declares: “Kaam bahut hua hai...”. A reminder of RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s quip that he would make roads of Bihar "as smooth as Hema Malini's cheeks", however, evokes just a smile.
The brief stopovers begin and end with the most famous local greeting, ‘Radhey, Radhey’. It gets an instant connect with voters. “I enjoy working here for you to earn your blessings,” she says, adding “ This blessed land gives me happiness like no other place.”
At many places, residents complain about her inaccessibility, but at the same time vouch for her clean image. The campaign continues till 8 pm. After a over a dozen meetings, she retires for day. “One has to do hard work to get something,” she signs off with a smile.