Support from India’s film industry continues to grow for the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with more celebrities backing students demanding education reforms, accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Salman Khan described the alleged paper leak as “a very serious issue” and said he was saddened that a peaceful protest had turned violent. He urged political parties not to hijack the movement, insisting it should remain focused on students while expressing hope the government would strengthen the education system.
Alia Bhatt also voiced support, saying the students’ courage had both “broken” and “mended” her heart. In an Instagram post, she urged the nation to listen to the young people shaping its future, ending with: “For the students. By the students. The future is theirs.”
Singer Sonu Nigam, however, found himself at the centre of online debate after declining to comment on the protests during a media interaction. A viral video showed him smiling and walking away, drawing criticism from some while others defended his decision, saying celebrities should not be compelled to speak on every issue.
Actor Ayesha Khan claimed Mumbai Police detained her while she was on her way to join a solidarity protest with her brother and friends. Sharing videos online, she alleged officers forced her into a police van without explanation. Responding to criticism that the protest could cost her work, she wrote: “I would rather lose my career than lose my spine.”
Actor Imran Khan has joined the growing list of Bollywood celebrities supporting the CJP-led student protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, taking part in a solidarity march in Mumbai and arguing that artists should never separate their work from their convictions.
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut sparked fresh controversy after congratulating NEET topper Vaishnavi Das on Instagram, saying she had “never met an atheist topper”. Her remarks divided social media as she continued to defend the central government’s handling of the controversy and criticise the CJP-led protests.
After facing criticism for remaining silent, FTII chairman R Madhavan backed the students, calling for strict action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak while warning protesters against “vested interests” trying to hijack the movement. Tamil actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan also supported the students, condemning the police response and saying a nation had failed when “its children are met with barricades and batons instead of answers”. He also urged education reformer Sonam Wangchuk to end his indefinite fast.
Meanwhile, Huma Qureshi, Saqib Saleem and Rachit Singh joined students at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in the early hours of Thursday, marching in solidarity.
The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), began over allegations of a NEET-UG 2026 paper leak but have since grown into a nationwide movement demanding greater transparency, accountability and sweeping reforms to India’s examination system. The agitation intensified after the 20 July ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, when police used tear gas and batons after stopping protesters heading towards Parliament. Other film personalities backing the movement include Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Sonakshi Sinha, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Swara Bhasker, Amol Parashar, Aditi Rao Hydari, Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza, Vir Das, Sonu Sood, Thalapathy Vijay, Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, Soha Ali Khan and Chinmayi Sripada.
