Snehashish roy
Actor Ayesha Khan has responded strongly to an online troll who warned that supporting the ongoing student protests over alleged NEET examination irregularities would cost her a career in Bollywood. The actor, who recently claimed she was detained by Mumbai Police while trying to join a demonstration in solidarity with students, said she would rather sacrifice professional opportunities than compromise her principles.
The controversy began after Ayesha shared videos and photographs from the protest on her Instagram Stories. Amid messages of support, one social media user sent her a direct message that read, “No work for you in Bollywood now,” suggesting that publicly backing the movement could negatively impact her career in the film industry.
Instead of ignoring the message, Ayesha posted a screenshot of the conversation on her Instagram Stories and responded firmly. “I would rather lose my career than lose my spine. Scare someone else, thank you, bye bye,” she wrote, making it clear that she had no regrets about standing with the protesting students. Her response quickly went viral, earning praise from many social media users who applauded her for refusing to be intimidated.
The actor has been consistently using her social media platforms to express solidarity with students protesting over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. She has shared updates from the demonstrations and encouraged conversations around transparency and accountability in the education system.
A day before responding to the troll, Ayesha revealed that she had been detained by Mumbai Police while attempting to participate in a protest in Dadar along with her brother and a group of friends. In a video statement posted online, she alleged that she was taken into custody before she could even join the demonstration.
Describing the incident, Ayesha claimed that several women police personnel forcibly escorted her into a police van despite her repeatedly asking why she was being detained. According to the actor, neither she nor the others accompanying her were given a reason for their detention. She alleged that they were transported from Dadar to Worli without any explanation from the authorities.
In another Instagram Story, Ayesha questioned the police action, saying she had not raised slogans, created any disturbance or even gathered in a prohibited group. She wrote that she had merely been standing on the roadside when officers approached and detained her. Despite criticising the lack of accountability surrounding the detention, the actor later clarified that the personnel at the police station behaved courteously towards her.
Ayesha is among a growing number of film personalities who have voiced support for the student movement in recent days. Actors including Salman Khan, Anupam Kher, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Sonu Sood, Dia Mirza, Aditi Rao Hydari and several others have publicly backed students demanding reforms and greater transparency in the examination system.
Known for her appearances on reality television and more recently for featuring in the song Shararat from Dhurandhar, Ayesha has remained vocal on social issues through her online platforms. Her latest response has further amplified discussions about the role of celebrities in public movements and whether public figures should face professional consequences for expressing political or social opinions.
While reactions online remain divided, Ayesha has shown no indication of backing away from her stance. Her message to the troll has been widely shared across social media, with supporters describing it as a strong defence of free expression and civic participation. Whether or not her activism affects her career remains to be seen, but the actor has made it clear that, in her view, standing by her convictions is more important than protecting professional opportunities.