Several Bollywood celebrities have expressed support for or participated in Gen Z-led protests taking place in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities across India.
Bollywood Stars Back Gen Z-Led Protests Over Education Issues in India
Several Bollywood celebrities have shown support for the Gen Z-driven protests against alleged examination paper leaks and demands for education reforms, giving the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-backed movement wider visibility across India.
The protesters, linked to the “cockroach” movement, have been stationed at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for weeks, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged paper leaks in May that reportedly impacted around two million students.
The movement gained further momentum after police used tear gas and baton charges against large crowds of demonstrators attempting to march toward Parliament, sparking criticism from several public figures.
A number of Bollywood actors, singers, and filmmakers, including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Arijit Singh, Sonakshi Sinha, Sara Ali Khan, Javed Akhtar, Sonam Bajwa, Naseeruddin Shah, Pooja Bhatt, Diljit Dosanjh, Shabana Azmi, Twinkle Khanna, Ananya Panday, Varun Dhawan, Imran Khan, Ayesha Khan, and Prakash Raj, voiced support for the students and condemned the reported police action.
Sharing his views on X, Salman Khan said he was saddened that a peaceful movement turned tense. He expressed sympathy with affected students and their families, calling paper leaks a serious issue and praising young people for uniting in support of a better education system.
The growing support from Bollywood has brought increased attention to the student-led protests and their demands for transparency and accountability in India’s education sector.
Arijit Singh Urges Against Use of Force on Student Protesters
Singer Arijit Singh also voiced his support for the youth-led protests, sharing several comments on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
The singer criticized the use of force against students, saying that such measures should not be used when young people are raising their concerns. He expressed concern over the handling of the demonstrations and called for a more peaceful approach toward the protesters.
Arijit Singh’s remarks came as several Bollywood personalities continued to show solidarity with students demanding reforms and accountability in India’s education system.
Alia Bhatt Expresses Support for Student Protesters With Emotional Message
Actor Alia Bhatt shared a heartfelt message on Instagram in support of the student-led protests, expressing admiration for the young demonstrators and their determination.
In her note, Alia said the events of recent days had been emotionally overwhelming but also filled her with hope. She highlighted that behind every student participating in the movement was a personal dream, a family’s expectations, and years of hard work and sacrifice.
She added that the students were not only speaking for themselves but also representing those who supported them, while helping create a better future for the generations to come.
Alia’s message was among several statements from Bollywood personalities showing solidarity with students demanding reforms and greater transparency in India’s education system.
Kareena Kapoor Breaks Silence in Support of Student Protesters
Actor Kareena Kapoor took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the ongoing student-led protests, saying she had been reflecting on the situation for several days before deciding to speak out.
In her post, Kareena said she had spent time processing her feelings but eventually felt she could no longer remain silent.
Her statement added to a growing list of Bollywood celebrities expressing support for students and raising concerns over issues related to education reforms and examination irregularities.
Twinkle Khanna Praises Youth for Standing Up Amid Protests
Veteran actor and author Twinkle Khanna expressed support for the young protesters, praising their courage to speak out and challenge issues they believe are important.
In a statement, Twinkle said she was proud to belong to a country where young people still had the courage to express disagreement and stand their ground, even in difficult circumstances.
She added that while it was inspiring to see the determination of the youth, it was unfortunate that they had to face measures such as tear gas and baton charges while raising their concerns.
Her remarks came as several Bollywood personalities continued to voice solidarity with student protesters demanding education reforms and accountability.
More Bollywood Celebrities Join Student Protests in Support of Youth Movement
Beyond Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor, several other Bollywood personalities also visited the protest site to show solidarity with the student-led movement.
Actors including Huma Qureshi, Ayesha Khan, Imran Khan, Shabana Azmi, and Prakash Raj joined supporters at the demonstration venue, expressing their backing for students demanding education reforms and action over alleged examination irregularities.
The presence of prominent film personalities further increased public attention around the protests, with several celebrities calling for peaceful dialogue and support for young people raising their concerns.
