Cinema VinesBollywood star Imran Khan joined a student protest march in Mumbai on Monday, standing in solidarity with demonstrators in Delhi who are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET paper leaks and other exam irregularities. The actor, who had earlier expressed support for the CJP‑led movement on social media, was photographed among a group of young students on the streets of the city.
During the march, a budding actor approached Khan and asked for his thoughts on fellow performers who claim that art should remain apolitical. Khan replied that true art inevitably reflects an individual’s perspective and that without a personal stake, “your art has no value.” He emphasized that artists must “stand by your opinions” and “pour your own heart into your art.”
In a tweet the day before, Khan condemned the police’s use of lathi charges and tear gas against student protestors. He wrote, “Something broke in me today. Watching as police gassed and battered student protestors… how could I make sense of this?” He lamented that the system meant to protect students had failed them, adding, “Are these not the children of Mother India? If not them, for whom do we build, and whose future do we claim to protect?”
The protest, which began a month ago, has seen students march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament as part of the ‘Chalo Sansad’ campaign. They have faced police force, including lathi charges and tear gas. Activist Sonam Wangchuk has joined the movement and has been on a hunger strike for 26 days. Several celebrities, including Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt, have publicly criticized the use of force and voiced support for the students.
Khan’s participation in Mumbai’s demonstration underscores the growing trend of Indian actors using their public platforms to champion social and political causes, challenging the notion that cinema should stay detached from real‑world issues.
