From Imran Khan To Deepika Padukone: 9 Bollywood Stars Who Joined Real-Life Protests

Bollywood actors have joined public protests and demonstrations time and again. In recent months, many like Imran Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and others across the country took part in rallies backing CJP over the NEET paper leak and against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Earlier cases, such as Deepika Padukone's 2020 JNU visit and Dia Mirza protesting against mangrove cutting, also caught attention. 

Bollywood Stars Who Joined Real-Life Protests

Imran Khan

Imran joined a protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai on October 10. It backed the CJP's demand that Gyanesh Kumar resign over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Police detained more than 400 people that day. They included Imran, his girlfriend Lekha Washington and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan. An FIR was later registered against him and others.

Before he was detained, Imran told ANI that he had no demands. He said he had come as a citizen to ask why freedom of movement was being restricted and why people's voices were being suppressed.

The FRRO has since reportedly asked him to leave India by October 28. He is reportedly a US citizen who holds an OCI card.

Naseeruddin Shah

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah joined the CJP protest at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, on October 2. The protest demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

He met CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke at the park and hugged him to show support. Singer Vishal Dadlani was also there. Shah had earlier criticised the police action on protesters during the CJP's July march in Delhi.

(Image: X/@abhijeet_dipke)

Gurfateh Pirzada, Pratibha Ranta

Actors Gurfateh Pirzada and Pratibha Ranta, along with singer Akasa Singh, joined a student protest in Mumbai on July 21. It was held near Chaityabhoomi, close to Shivaji Park. The students were protesting the NEET paper leak.

The protest followed the CJP's July 20 march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon session, when violence broke out. The group shared posts from the protest and urged others to speak up.

Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi joined the CJP's protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi over the NEET irregularities. She also joined the July 20 march towards Parliament. Later, on October 2, she took part in the Mumbai protest against Gyanesh Kumar at Shivaji Park.

She said the issue was about democracy, people's rights and the right to raise one's voice. According to ANI, she also said that once people begin raising their voices, such movements can spread.

Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem

Huma Qureshi and her brother Saqib Saleem went to Jantar Mantar late on the night of July 22. They went to show support for the student protest over the NEET paper leak. Her partner, Rachit Singh, was with them.

Thousands of students, led by the CJP, had been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the education system.

Dia Mirza

Dia Mirza joined a citizens' protest in Versova, Mumbai, against the cutting of mangroves for the Versova-Bhayandar coastal road project. More than 100 people took part.

Activists say the cutting is illegal because the project has not received Stage II forest clearance. The Bombay High Court cleared the project in December 2025, and the Supreme Court declined to stay that order in March 2026.

(Image: X/@deespeak)

Prakash Raj

Prakash Raj took part in the "Election Commission Chalo" march at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on September 1. The march opposed the SIR of electoral rolls. Police stopped the group as they tried to walk towards the Election Commission office. Prakash Raj and actor Kishore were detained, along with other activists.

Prakash Raj also joined the CJP's July 20 march towards Parliament in Delhi.

Ayesha Khan

Ayesha Khan was detained by Mumbai Police at Dadar on July 22, while she was at a student protest over the NEET issue. She said she had not started protesting and was only standing on the road, after her brother and a few friends were detained first.

She shared videos from the police van and from Worli Police Station, asking why she was being held. She was released after about three hours.

Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone visited Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi in January 2020, soon after a masked mob attacked students and teachers on campus. She stood quietly with student leaders, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar.

(Image: X/@KantInEastt)

She was in Delhi for the promotion of her film Chhapaak. Her surprise visit divided public opinion.

Celebrity involvement in protests often draws strong reactions. What are your thoughts?

FAQ

1. Is actor Imran Khan asked to leave India?

Yes. Imran Khan, a US national, was asked to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.

2. What was the box office fate of Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak?

Deepika Padukone's visit to JNU sparked heavy backlash, leading to boycott calls on the movie. This eventually led to Chhapaak's poor box office performance.