Cinema VinesAlia Bhatt, the Bollywood star, has publicly voiced her support for the student protests led by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) in Delhi, following the violent lathi-charge that occurred on Monday. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the actress described the emotional roller‑coaster the protests had triggered in her, saying, “The last few days have broken my heart and then mended it, again and again, with hope.” She praised the students’ courage and the sacrifices they have made, noting that they “represent not just themselves but everyone who has supported them, while creating a better path for those who will come after them.”
Bhatt’s message called on the nation to listen to the voices of the young generation, stating, “Their courage humbles me. Their resolve is a mirror held up to all of us, asking whether we are truly listening to the very people who will inherit and shape this country's tomorrow.” She concluded with a rallying cry for the future: “For the students. By the students. The future is theirs. Jai Hind.”
The actress is not the first celebrity to back the movement. Salman Khan also expressed solidarity, posting a nostalgic photo of his own student days and lamenting that the peaceful march had turned violent. Khan highlighted the seriousness of the “paper leak” issue and praised the students’ dedication to education, urging that the protest not be hijacked politically and that credit belong solely to the students.
Other film personalities have joined the chorus of support. Huma Qureshi visited the Jantar Mantar protest site with her brother Saqib Saleem early on Thursday, July 23, 2026, to show her backing. Additionally, actors Rajkummar Rao, Prakash Raj, Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi and poet‑writer Javed Akhtar have all publicly backed the students, underscoring the widespread appeal of the cause across the entertainment industry.
Vibha Maru, an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment based in Delhi, reported on the growing celebrity endorsement of the student movement, noting the decade‑long experience of the publication in covering entertainment news. The collective support from Bollywood’s top stars reflects a broader national conversation about education reform and the role of youth activism in shaping India’s future.
