A handful of Bollywood stars have finally broken ranks to publicly support Sonam Wangchuk, even as most of the industry's biggest names remain silent despite his 18 days into his hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Swara Bhaskar visited the protest site in person, sitting with Wangchuk as he rested.
The official Instagram account of Cockroach Janta Party shared photos of her from the protest site.
Thanking Abhijeet Dipke for his efforts, she wrote on her Instagram Stories, "Thank you for fighting for the future of all of our children."
She also highlighted Wangchuk's hunger strike, adding, "The indefatigable Sonam Wangchuk sir is fighting for your children's future. All my solidarity and gratitude."
Zeenat Aman posted a heartfelt tribute online, urging the government to open dialogue with the protesters rather than let the situation escalate further.
Abhay Deol has also thrown his weight behind the protest, publicly backing Wangchuk as the fast entered its 18th day and adding a recognizable Bollywood name to a list that, until this week, was thin on industry heavyweights. Punjabi singer Ravinder Singh, known as Kaka, went a step further and visited the protest site himself to show solidarity in person.
3 Idiots actor Omi Vaidya also spoke up, posting a video reminding fans of Wangchuk's real-life story and urging people to take note of his health. Actor Atul Kulkarni posted on Instagram to lend his support to Wangchuk and the CJP's cause as well.
Not everyone has framed their support the same way. Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, along with writer Arundhati Roy, took a slightly different angle, issuing a joint appeal urging Wangchuk to preserve his strength for the longer struggle ahead rather than continue the fast indefinitely.
Aamir Khan, meanwhile, is yet to comment, a silence that has drawn particular attention given that Wangchuk was the real-life inspiration for his character in 3 Idiots.
Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakhi innovator and educator, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar since June 28, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign over the NEET UG paper leak scandal.
Over 18 days into the fast, he has lost over 8 kg, and his one demand remains unchanged. It's a growing list, but it's still a short one, and the industry's biggest names remain conspicuously absent from it.
With a march on Parliament planned for July 20, the pressure on Bollywood to speak up will only keep building. For now, it's just a few celebs carrying that weight, while most of the industry continues to stay quiet.