Bollywood vs NEET Row: Preity Zinta, Rajkummar Rao, Vir Das, Naseer & others stand with students

The outrage over the alleged NEET paper leak has now found a powerful echo in Bollywood. As visuals of students being lathi-charged and tear-gassed during protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar continue to dominate social media, several actors have stepped forward to stand with the students, calling for accountability, justice and a fair hearing for those demanding answers.

Among the latest celebrities to express support is Preity Zinta, who shared an emotional message on her Instagram Stories. Extending her "heartfelt support to all students," the actor urged the country to stand by young people fighting for their future. Ending her note with "Jai Hind," Preity stressed that students deserve to be heard and that their concerns should not be ignored.

The protest has also seen a strong response from a younger generation of actors. Gurfateh Pirzada penned a heartfelt note applauding the courage shown by students who continue to protest despite facing repeated crackdowns. He praised their determination and resilience, saying their fight is not just for themselves but for every student who dreams of a fair education system.

Rajkummar Rao also voiced his support, saying that students deserve to be heard. His message, though brief, added to the growing list of film personalities urging authorities to listen instead of silence peaceful protesters.

Stars Condemn Police Action

Several actors reacted strongly after videos showing police using force against protesters went viral online. Atul Kulkarni shared an emotional poem reflecting on the trauma that violence can leave on young minds. Amol Parashar, after witnessing the atmosphere around Jantar Mantar, wrote about how students were repeatedly tested simply for demanding their rights.

Abhay Deol posted a strongly worded message, saying injustice and violence are long-standing problems that can no longer be ignored. He appealed to people to rise above divisions and stand together for the country. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah also shared a video condemning the police action, while comedian Vir Das addressed the issue in his trademark satirical style, once again drawing attention to the controversy.

Abhay Deol posted a strongly worded message, saying injustice and violence are long-standing problems that can no longer be ignored. He appealed to people to rise above divisions and stand together for the country. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah also shared a video condemning the police action, while comedian Vir Das addressed the issue in his trademark satirical style, once again drawing attention to the controversy.

The Protest Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

The demonstrations gathered further momentum after education reformer Sonam Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police in the early hours of July 18 following 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing health concerns and medical advice, but Wangchuk has continued his protest, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.

The protests turned more intense on July 20 after clashes broke out between demonstrators and police, with videos of the crackdown triggering widespread public anger. As Wangchuk enters day 24 of his hunger strike and students remain on the streets demanding accountability, support from Bollywood continues to grow. From established stars to a new generation of actors, more voices are joining the call for transparency, justice and a fair future for India's students.

What has stood out this time is the growing number of actors from across generations speaking on the issue. While some chose to post lengthy statements, others used poems, videos, or short Instagram Stories to express solidarity with the students.

Despite their different styles, their message remained the same: students asking for transparency and justice should be heard, not met with force. The steady stream of celebrity reactions has also kept the conversation alive on social media, bringing greater attention to the ongoing protests.