Actor and writer Manav Kaul joined hundreds of students and supporters at a protest in Mumbai on Friday, where he was seen distributing water bottles to demonstrators and urging the spotlight to remain on the students rather than himself, writes Hindustan Times.
Kaul, known for films including Tumhari Sulu and Baramulla, attended the protest at Shivaji Park in Dadar, where demonstrators gathered to demand accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and broader education reforms.
Dressed in a black polo-neck T-shirt, jeans and a brown sling bag, the actor was filmed handing out water bottles from a carton to students at the protest site.
Videos of Kaul’s participation quickly circulated on social media, with many users praising his humility.
One user wrote, “Mad respect for my GOAT,” applauding the actor for quietly supporting the protesters.
In another widely shared clip, Kaul stepped aside when reporters approached him, encouraging them to speak with the students instead.
“They are important,” he said, redirecting media attention to the demonstrators.
The Mumbai rally, organised under the banner of the Tiranga Morcha by Shiv Sena (UBT), drew thousands of participants at Shivaji Park.
Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and carried the Indian tricolour alongside portraits of Bhagat Singh and Dr B R Ambedkar.
According to local authorities, around 2,000 to 2,500 people attended the demonstration.
Several members of the film industry also joined the rally, including actors Atul Kulkarni, Arjun Mathur, Kritika Kamra and Chandan Roy Sanyal, along with comedian Kunal Kamra.
The protests began after allegations of irregularities and a paper leak in the NEET examination, triggering nationwide demonstrations by students, parents and supporters.
What started as a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has since spread to several cities following the “Sansad March” on 20 July, during which clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel.
Among the protesters’ key demands are the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, comprehensive reforms to the examination system and ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the reported examination irregularities.
