Hema Malini reacts to Maharashtra politician comparing her cheeks to smooth roads.

Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini has criticised comments made on her by Maharashtra water supply and sanitation minister Gulabrao Patil. The Bollywood veteran said the comment wasn’t in good taste.

On Monday, Hema first said jokingly, “Better I keep my cheeks properly and safely.” The Rajya Sabha member later shared that it was a trend started by former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav many years ago, when he made comments on her physical appearance and beauty.

“It is a tend that was started by Lalu ji some years back and that has now become a usual thing for everybody. People should not use such language. If common people talk like this, you can’t do anything about it. But if it is a Member of the Parliament on anyone connected to our constituency, I don’t think it’s in a good taste. Any woman shouldn’t be used for such comments,” Malini added.