Snehashish roy
Author and columnist Shobhaa De has criticised Bollywood’s response to the nationwide youth-led protests spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), arguing that many of the industry’s biggest stars have failed to understand the mood of India’s younger generation. In a recent column, De described the film industry’s reactions as “uncool” and “irrelevant”, singling out Salman Khan’s social media message to activist Sonam Wangchuk as particularly “cringe”.
Salman Khan was among the first major Bollywood celebrities to publicly support the protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. After backing the students’ demand for accountability and reforms, the actor later urged Sonam Wangchuk to end his 26-day hunger strike following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance that those responsible for the paper leak would face stringent punishment.
Hours before Wangchuk called off his fast, Salman posted on social media: “Sonam, it’s done bro. Don’t extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there is a need, which I doubt, and eat something. If u want, I will send u food from home. Students please go back to your homes and to your parents. The PM has said whoever has done wrong will be punished.”
Reacting to the post, Shobhaa De argued that Salman’s attempt to connect with the younger generation had the opposite effect. She wrote that addressing Wangchuk as “bro” and offering food from his home kitchen attracted ridicule rather than appreciation. According to her, the actor may have believed he was being relatable, but Gen Z has redefined what it considers “cool”, making the message appear awkward instead.
De broadened her criticism beyond Salman Khan, claiming that Bollywood as a whole appeared disconnected from the youth-led movement. She wrote that many celebrities only entered the conversation after they seemingly believed it was politically safe to do so. Referring to their statements as “inane ChatGPT-scripted posts”, she argued that these interventions failed to resonate with the very young audience that sustains the industry’s box office success. In her view, celebrities today need Gen Z more than Gen Z needs celebrity endorsements.
Her column also criticised Kangana Ranaut, Hema Malini and Anupam Kher for their remarks during the protests. De said Kangana, in particular, alienated whatever Gen Z support she still enjoyed through her comments targeting the demonstrators. Turning one of Kangana’s own phrases against her, De remarked that it was the actor’s remarks—not the protesters—that deserved criticism.
Concluding her piece, De argued that today’s generation does not depend on celebrities for validation or inspiration. Instead, she said, young Indians are shaping political and social conversations on their own terms. The CJP protests, which began over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, have since evolved into a broader movement demanding accountability, education reforms and systemic change. While Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike, the campaign continues, underscoring what De believes is a fundamental shift in the relationship between celebrities and India’s youth.