Cinema VinesIn the wake of the CJP‑led student protest that has been marching through Delhi for almost a month, Bollywood’s A‑list has begun to take a public stand. After the students’ demonstration on Monday, which saw them facing lathi‑charges and tear gas as they moved toward Parliament, a growing number of film stars have voiced their support for the movement demanding educational reforms, an end to examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
Actress Sara Ali Khan was among the first to respond. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote that the students’ resolve “brings tears to my eyes” and reminded her of the true spirit of patriotism. She said the youth’s courage is “inspiring and stirring” and urged the government to listen to them with open hearts, adding a hopeful “Jai Hind.”
Similarly, Ananya Panday praised Gen Z for no longer shying away from questioning the system. She described the generation as “no longer willing to accept ‘this is how it’s always been’” and stressed that “questioning isn’t disrespect.” Her message framed speaking up as hope and a belief that things can improve, concluding with a patriotic salute.
Earlier in the week, other Bollywood personalities—including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Huma Qureshi, Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Rajkummar Rao and R. Madhavan—had been criticised for silence. The recent wave of support marks a shift, with celebrities openly endorsing the students’ demands and calling for systemic change.
Vibha Maru, an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, reports from Delhi that the film industry’s backing is growing louder as the protest continues to highlight the need for transparency and fairness in India’s education system.
