In an emotional Instagram post, Alia Bhatt said the students’ resolve reflected the hopes and sacrifices of countless families, urging the nation to listen to the generation that will shape India’s future.
BY PC Bureau
Mumbai/New Delhi, July 23: Actor Alia Bhatt has become the latest Bollywood celebrity to publicly support the ongoing nationwide student protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, lending her voice to a movement that has drawn growing backing from the film industry.
In an emotional message shared on Instagram on Thursday, Bhatt expressed solidarity with students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and other parts of the country, saying their determination reflected the hopes of an entire generation.
“The last few days have broken my heart and then mended it, again and again, with hope,” she wrote.
“Behind every student standing their ground is a dream, a family’s hope, a journey of countless sacrifices. They represent not just themselves but everyone who has supported them, while creating a better path for those who will come after them.”
Calling the students’ resilience inspiring, Bhatt said, “Their courage humbles me. Their resolve is a mirror held up to all of us, asking whether we are truly listening to the very people who will inherit and shape this country’s tomorrow. For the students. By the students. The future is theirs. Jai Hind.”
Her statement comes at a time when protests over the alleged examination irregularities have entered their fourth week, with students demanding accountability for the paper leak, sweeping reforms in the examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Alia Bhatt has spoken up about the protests. pic.twitter.com/c4SzBokBoS
— Fatima Khan (@khanthefatima) July 23, 2026
Salman Khan Backed Protest Earlier
Bhatt’s remarks follow actor Salman Khan’s support for the student movement earlier this week. While urging protesters to maintain peace, Salman said education should remain above politics and called for meaningful reforms to protect students’ futures.
His intervention marked one of the first endorsements of the movement by a mainstream Bollywood superstar.
Growing Support From Film Industry
Over the past week, an increasing number of actors, filmmakers and musicians have publicly backed the students or expressed concern over the handling of the protests.
Among those who have voiced support are Sonu Sood, Vir Das, Dia Mirza, Soha Ali Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Bhumi Pednekar, Huma Qureshi, Nandita Das, Shabana Azmi, Sutapa Sikdar, Pooja Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajkummar Rao, Swara Bhasker, Diljit Dosanjh and singer Arijit Singh, according to their public statements and social media posts.
Veteran actor Prakash Raj has also participated in solidarity events supporting the movement, while actor-politician Kamal Haasan has appealed for comprehensive education reforms and urged hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his fast after assurances from the government.
Movement Gains National Attention
The protests, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations, began over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak but have since evolved into a broader campaign demanding transparency in competitive examinations, accountability for repeated paper leaks and reforms in India’s education system.
The agitation intensified after clashes between protesters and Delhi Police during an attempted march to Parliament earlier this week. Since then, demonstrations have spread to several cities, attracting support from academics, civil society groups and public figures.
Mixed Reactions
While many social media users welcomed Bollywood’s growing support, others questioned why several celebrities had remained silent during the initial weeks of the protests. Some critics also accused sections of the film industry of reacting only after the issue gained national prominence.
Despite the mixed reactions, the increasing number of high-profile endorsements has amplified public attention on the students’ demands and added pressure on the government as Parliament continues to witness disruptions over the NEET controversy.
With Alia Bhatt becoming the latest A-list actor to speak out, the student movement has received one of its strongest waves of support from the Hindi film industry so far.
