Actor Ayesha Khan has strongly responded to a social media troll who claimed her support for the ongoing NEET paper leak protests would cost her opportunities in Bollywood. The Dhurandhar actress shared the exchange on Instagram after alleging that she was detained by Mumbai Police while peacefully participating in a demonstration in support of students demanding justice.
The controversy began after Ayesha posted videos from the protest on her Instagram Stories. Soon after, she received a direct message from a user warning her, “No work for you in Bollywood now.” Refusing to be intimidated, the actress shared a screenshot of the message and replied, “I would rather lose my career than losing my spine. Scare someone else, thank you, bye bye.” Her response quickly went viral, with many users praising her for standing by her beliefs.
Earlier in the day, Ayesha uploaded several videos from the protest site, claiming she had been detained despite peacefully standing on the road. In one clip, she is seen asking police officers where they were being taken but receives no response. Another video shows four women police personnel escorting her into a police van.
Sharing the footage, Ayesha questioned the reason behind her detention. She wrote, “Unfortunately it took 4 police women to pull me in. But I ask the same question again, why? Did I make a noise? Did I even start a conversation? Detained me for what? For standing in the road? Wasn’t even in the group of 5.”
Later, the actress posted another video confirming that she and several others had been taken to Worli Police Station. Explaining what happened, Ayesha said she had reached Dadar with her brother and a few friends to support students protesting against the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. According to her, police informed them that protests were not permitted at the location and detained her brother along with her male friends.
She further alleged that while she was trying to understand the situation and locate her brother, nearly 15 police personnel, including both male and female officers, instructed them to board a police van. She claimed they were subsequently taken to Worli Police Station. Despite questioning the grounds for her detention, Ayesha later appreciated the officers at the police station, describing them as “sweet.”
The nationwide protests over the alleged NEET examination irregularities have gained support from several members of the film industry. Celebrities including Salman Khan, Anupam Kher, Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, and Aditi Rao Hydari have publicly expressed solidarity with students demanding accountability and reforms.
Earlier this week, actors Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi, along with rapper Hanumankind, participated in the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in New Delhi. Following reports of police action during the protest, including a lathi charge and the use of tear gas, more film personalities extended their support to the movement. In Mumbai, actors Huma Qureshi, Saqib Saleem, and Shalini Pandey also joined demonstrations backing the students.
The protests, which began in New Delhi over allegations of a paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, have since spread to multiple cities across India. Students continue to demand transparency, accountability, and strict action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities.