Veteran actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Hema Malini on 15 May in Mumbai publicly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to reduce consumption of oil, gold, and other resources amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Speaking to reporters, Malini urged Indians to switch from petrol-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, adding that both her own cars are already electric.

What Hema Malini Said

'The Prime Minister has given such a good message. He has given seven pieces of information. First of all, don't buy gold jewellery. Because there may be a problem in the future. He has already given the information for this,' Malini told reporters.

She elaborated further: 'Don't use too much petrol. Don't drive too much. Use as much petrol as possible for public service. Don't go abroad too much. He has also told us to use less oil in food. He has told us a lot of such things. Electric vehicles also. Not petrol vehicles. Both my vehicles are electric. I will also suggest you to use electric vehicles.'

PM Modi's Appeal to the Nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier addressed the nation, urging citizens to curtail their consumption of oil, gold, and related resources in response to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The appeal comes as global supply chains face severe disruption following a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which reportedly 80% of global oil trade passes.

The West Asia Crisis Driving the Advisory

Geopolitical tensions in the region escalated sharply after the United States and Israel reportedly attacked Iran, killing its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to reports. Israel described the strike as pre-emptive, aimed at deterring Iran's nuclear programme. Iran subsequently re-calibrated its military posture, reportedly attacking US bases across the Middle East and intensifying strikes on Tel Aviv using hypersonic missiles — a development that, according to reports, has strained Israel's Iron Dome air-defence system.

Iran is also reportedly targeting US and Israeli personnel sheltering in Middle Eastern countries. The Strait of Hormuz blockade has, in turn, choked global oil supply chains, with ripple effects hitting local markets worldwide.

Why This Matters for India

India is among the world's largest importers of crude oil, making it acutely vulnerable to any sustained disruption in West Asian supply routes. A prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could push domestic fuel prices sharply higher, with knock-on effects on inflation, freight costs, and household budgets. The government's call for voluntary conservation is, notably, one of the early domestic policy signals in response to the unfolding crisis.

The endorsement by a high-profile public figure like Malini — who holds a parliamentary seat from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh — lends cultural and political weight to the Centre's conservation message, potentially amplifying its reach beyond typical policy audiences.

What Citizens Are Being Asked to Do

According to Malini's account of Modi's seven-point advisory, citizens are being asked to: avoid purchasing gold jewellery, reduce personal vehicle use, minimise foreign travel, use less cooking oil, and shift to electric vehicles where possible. The full text of the Prime Minister's advisory had not been officially released in detail at the time of reporting.