Kangana Ranaut defends Sharmishta Panoli: 'She should be released immediately'

Actor and politician Kangana Ranaut has voiced her support for Instagram influencer Sharmishta Panoli, who was recently arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram. Kangana shared a note on her Instagram Stories demanding Panoli's immediate release, stating that while the influencer may have used “unpleasant words,” her apology should suffice.

Kangana’s post read, “I agree that Sharmishta used some unpleasant words for her expression but such words most youngsters use these days, she apologised for her statements and that should be enough, no need to bully or harass her further, she should be released immediately.”

Panoli, a law student from Pune, had posted a video online in which she questioned Bollywood actors’ silence over Operation Sindoor, a recent military action undertaken by India. Her video went viral and received strong backlash. Soon after, she deleted the video and issued a public apology. However, by then, the legal process had already begun.

The Kolkata Police registered a complaint and issued notices to Panoli and her family members. Despite her apology and removal of the content, she was arrested on Friday night in Gurugram and taken into custody by officials from Kolkata.

Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces earlier this month following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people lost their lives. The operation reportedly targeted terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. The attack had sharply escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, though a ceasefire has since been put in place.

Panoli’s arrest has sparked a conversation about the boundaries of free speech and online expression. Many feel her criticism, though strong, did not merit legal action—especially in light of her apology.

Kangana Ranaut, known for her candid political views, chose to step in and defend Panoli. Her support has drawn attention to the growing concerns about how online dissent is handled in India.

On the professional front, Kangana was last seen in Emergency, a biographical drama which she also directed and produced.