Salman, Alia Bhatt to Ananya Panday: Bollywood rallies behind protesting students
The ongoing student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak have garnered widespread support from the Indian film industry, with celebrities urging for accountability and peaceful demonstrations. Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ananya Panday, and Varun Dhawan, among others have joined the list.
The ongoing students' protest over the NEET-UG paper leak and demands for education reforms has continued to draw support from the film industry. While some celebrities have unequivocally backed the students and criticised the handling of the protests, others have called for accountability while urging that the movement remain peaceful and free of political interference.
Salman Khan, who has been among the most vocal celebrities on the issue, shared a second post on Thursday urging students to return home and asking social activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Expressing confidence that action would be taken against those responsible for the NEET-UG paper leak, he wrote, "The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise. So students, please go back to your parents and homes (sic)." Addressing Wangchuk directly, Salman added, "Sonam, it's done, bro. Don't extend this. If you want, I will send you food from home (sic)."
A day earlier, Salman had described the paper leak as "a very serious issue", praised students for peacefully demanding reforms and urged that the movement should not be politicised.
Alia Bhatt also shared an emotional note, saying the past few days had "broken my heart and then mended it with hope." Calling the protesters a symbol of resilience, she wrote that every student standing their ground represented "a dream, a family's hope, a journey of countless sacrifices (sic)." She added that they were not only fighting for themselves but also creating "a better path for those who will come after them (sic)."
Ananya Panday echoed a similar sentiment, saying Gen Z has often been labelled in ways that have not always been fair, but the protests had revealed the generation's true character. "Gen Z has always been labelled... not all of them have been kind. But maybe this moment is reminding us who this generation really is (sic)," she wrote.
Calling the students a generation unwilling to accept "this is how it's always been", Ananya said they were not seeking shortcuts but asking for fairness to become "the bare minimum, not the exception". "Questioning isn't disrespect. Speaking up isn't rebellion. It's hope. It's the belief that things can be better. And that's how change begins (sic)," she added.
Varun Dhawan also extended his support, saying students have every right to question a system they believe has failed them. "Students are the future of our country. When a student's dream is crushed, it's not just one dream that's lost; it's the dream of an entire family," he wrote. Appealing to the authorities to engage sincerely with the students' concerns, Varun called for "a fair, transparent and meaningful resolution that ensures accountability (sic)." Like Salman Khan and R Madhavan, he also expressed hope that the agitation would remain a students' movement, saying the focus should stay on the issues affecting students.
Among the strongest voices backing the students has been veteran actor Shabana Azmi, who not only shared messages of support on social media but also joined protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi. She asserted that students have every democratic right to demand accountability, criticised the police action against peaceful demonstrators and urged the government to engage with the youth instead of silencing dissent.
Naseeruddin Shah also condemned the use of force against students, comparing Delhi Police personnel involved in the crackdown to American ICE agents. Calling the visuals from the protests deeply disturbing, he urged students to continue their movement and assured them of his support.
Actor R Madhavan expressed disappointment over the paper leak, saying it had shattered the dreams of countless students and families. While supporting peaceful protests and reforms, he also cautioned against "vested interests" attempting to hijack the movement.
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan similarly said students demanding transparency should not be treated as adversaries. Stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right, he urged the government to respond with accountability instead of force.
Senior actor Anupam Kher also backed the students' demands but cautioned them against allowing external groups to divert the movement for political or ideological purposes.
The student protests have also found support from several other film personalities, including Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Dulquer Salmaan, Imran Khan, Richa Chadha, Swara Bhasker, Huma Qureshi, Revathy, Tovino Thomas, Abhay Deol, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and Hollywood actor John Cusack.
As the agitation continues, the film industry's response has reflected a broader national conversation. While there is widespread support for students seeking accountability and education reforms, many celebrities have also emphasised the need to keep the movement peaceful and centred on the students' demands rather than political interests.
The ongoing students' protest over the NEET-UG paper leak and demands for education reforms has continued to draw support from the film industry. While some celebrities have unequivocally backed the students and criticised the handling of the protests, others have called for accountability while urging that the movement remain peaceful and free of political interference.
Salman Khan, who has been among the most vocal celebrities on the issue, shared a second post on Thursday urging students to return home and asking social activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Expressing confidence that action would be taken against those responsible for the NEET-UG paper leak, he wrote, "The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise. So students, please go back to your parents and homes (sic)." Addressing Wangchuk directly, Salman added, "Sonam, it's done, bro. Don't extend this. If you want, I will send you food from home (sic)."
A day earlier, Salman had described the paper leak as "a very serious issue", praised students for peacefully demanding reforms and urged that the movement should not be politicised.
Alia Bhatt also shared an emotional note, saying the past few days had "broken my heart and then mended it with hope." Calling the protesters a symbol of resilience, she wrote that every student standing their ground represented "a dream, a family's hope, a journey of countless sacrifices (sic)." She added that they were not only fighting for themselves but also creating "a better path for those who will come after them (sic)."
Ananya Panday echoed a similar sentiment, saying Gen Z has often been labelled in ways that have not always been fair, but the protests had revealed the generation's true character. "Gen Z has always been labelled... not all of them have been kind. But maybe this moment is reminding us who this generation really is (sic)," she wrote.
Calling the students a generation unwilling to accept "this is how it's always been", Ananya said they were not seeking shortcuts but asking for fairness to become "the bare minimum, not the exception". "Questioning isn't disrespect. Speaking up isn't rebellion. It's hope. It's the belief that things can be better. And that's how change begins (sic)," she added.
Varun Dhawan also extended his support, saying students have every right to question a system they believe has failed them. "Students are the future of our country. When a student's dream is crushed, it's not just one dream that's lost; it's the dream of an entire family," he wrote. Appealing to the authorities to engage sincerely with the students' concerns, Varun called for "a fair, transparent and meaningful resolution that ensures accountability (sic)." Like Salman Khan and R Madhavan, he also expressed hope that the agitation would remain a students' movement, saying the focus should stay on the issues affecting students.
Among the strongest voices backing the students has been veteran actor Shabana Azmi, who not only shared messages of support on social media but also joined protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi. She asserted that students have every democratic right to demand accountability, criticised the police action against peaceful demonstrators and urged the government to engage with the youth instead of silencing dissent.
Naseeruddin Shah also condemned the use of force against students, comparing Delhi Police personnel involved in the crackdown to American ICE agents. Calling the visuals from the protests deeply disturbing, he urged students to continue their movement and assured them of his support.
Actor R Madhavan expressed disappointment over the paper leak, saying it had shattered the dreams of countless students and families. While supporting peaceful protests and reforms, he also cautioned against "vested interests" attempting to hijack the movement.
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan similarly said students demanding transparency should not be treated as adversaries. Stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right, he urged the government to respond with accountability instead of force.
Senior actor Anupam Kher also backed the students' demands but cautioned them against allowing external groups to divert the movement for political or ideological purposes.
The student protests have also found support from several other film personalities, including Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Dulquer Salmaan, Imran Khan, Richa Chadha, Swara Bhasker, Huma Qureshi, Revathy, Tovino Thomas, Abhay Deol, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and Hollywood actor John Cusack.
As the agitation continues, the film industry's response has reflected a broader national conversation. While there is widespread support for students seeking accountability and education reforms, many celebrities have also emphasised the need to keep the movement peaceful and centred on the students' demands rather than political interests.
The ongoing students' protest over the NEET-UG paper leak and demands for education reforms has continued to draw support from the film industry. While some celebrities have unequivocally backed the students and criticised the handling of the protests, others have called for accountability while urging that the movement remain peaceful and free of political interference.
Salman Khan, who has been among the most vocal celebrities on the issue, shared a second post on Thursday urging students to return home and asking social activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Expressing confidence that action would be taken against those responsible for the NEET-UG paper leak, he wrote, "The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise. So students, please go back to your parents and homes (sic)." Addressing Wangchuk directly, Salman added, "Sonam, it's done, bro. Don't extend this. If you want, I will send you food from home (sic)."
A day earlier, Salman had described the paper leak as "a very serious issue", praised students for peacefully demanding reforms and urged that the movement should not be politicised.
Alia Bhatt also shared an emotional note, saying the past few days had "broken my heart and then mended it with hope." Calling the protesters a symbol of resilience, she wrote that every student standing their ground represented "a dream, a family's hope, a journey of countless sacrifices (sic)." She added that they were not only fighting for themselves but also creating "a better path for those who will come after them (sic)."
Ananya Panday echoed a similar sentiment, saying Gen Z has often been labelled in ways that have not always been fair, but the protests had revealed the generation's true character. "Gen Z has always been labelled... not all of them have been kind. But maybe this moment is reminding us who this generation really is (sic)," she wrote.
Calling the students a generation unwilling to accept "this is how it's always been", Ananya said they were not seeking shortcuts but asking for fairness to become "the bare minimum, not the exception". "Questioning isn't disrespect. Speaking up isn't rebellion. It's hope. It's the belief that things can be better. And that's how change begins (sic)," she added.
Varun Dhawan also extended his support, saying students have every right to question a system they believe has failed them. "Students are the future of our country. When a student's dream is crushed, it's not just one dream that's lost; it's the dream of an entire family," he wrote. Appealing to the authorities to engage sincerely with the students' concerns, Varun called for "a fair, transparent and meaningful resolution that ensures accountability (sic)." Like Salman Khan and R Madhavan, he also expressed hope that the agitation would remain a students' movement, saying the focus should stay on the issues affecting students.
Among the strongest voices backing the students has been veteran actor Shabana Azmi, who not only shared messages of support on social media but also joined protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi. She asserted that students have every democratic right to demand accountability, criticised the police action against peaceful demonstrators and urged the government to engage with the youth instead of silencing dissent.
Naseeruddin Shah also condemned the use of force against students, comparing Delhi Police personnel involved in the crackdown to American ICE agents. Calling the visuals from the protests deeply disturbing, he urged students to continue their movement and assured them of his support.
Actor R Madhavan expressed disappointment over the paper leak, saying it had shattered the dreams of countless students and families. While supporting peaceful protests and reforms, he also cautioned against "vested interests" attempting to hijack the movement.
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan similarly said students demanding transparency should not be treated as adversaries. Stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right, he urged the government to respond with accountability instead of force.
Senior actor Anupam Kher also backed the students' demands but cautioned them against allowing external groups to divert the movement for political or ideological purposes.
The student protests have also found support from several other film personalities, including Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Dulquer Salmaan, Imran Khan, Richa Chadha, Swara Bhasker, Huma Qureshi, Revathy, Tovino Thomas, Abhay Deol, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and Hollywood actor John Cusack.
As the agitation continues, the film industry's response has reflected a broader national conversation. While there is widespread support for students seeking accountability and education reforms, many celebrities have also emphasised the need to keep the movement peaceful and centred on the students' demands rather than political interests.
