Kiran Rao and Saba Azad Support Imran Khan Following
Bollywood figures have quickly rallied behind actor Imran Khan after he received a formal notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai ordering him to leave India by October 28. The order follows the actor’s participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Khan, who holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, has now received significant public backing from industry peers. The Laapataa Ladies director has close ties to Imran’s family. With the cameras on him, Imran was careful not to present himself as anyone’s spokesperson. “I don’t have demands. He also made clear he had no organisational ties: “I don’t have any right to demand anything from people.
Industry Reactions and Background
- Kiran Rao’s response: The filmmaker expressed disbelief on Instagram, questioning the involvement of the Mumbai police in the matter.
- Professional ties: As the former wife of Aamir Khan, who is the actor’s uncle, Rao highlighted his deep-rooted history in the country, noting he is 43 years old and has spent 40 of those years in India.
- Supportive sentiment: Rao emphasized that Khan has studied, worked, succeeded, failed, loved, and fought within India throughout his life.
- Saba Azad’s reaction: Actor Saba Azad, who is in a relationship with Hrithik Roshan, publicly criticized the notice, labeling it as nonsense.
The situation comes at a critical juncture for Khan, who is currently preparing for a major return to acting after more than a decade-long hiatus. His recent legal predicament stems from events at August Kranti Maidan, which he maintains was not a formal protest but an effort to locate friends who had been detained earlier in the day. And the situation changed almost immediately, police whistles sounded over him before he could finish. Pictures and clips of the three being taken to a police van were already circulating online that afternoon.
According to actor Lekha Washington, who accompanied Khan, the group arrived at the ground to find it surrounded by barricades and journalists. Khan spoke to the media at the time, clarifying that he was present as a private citizen concerned about restricted movement and the suppression of voices, rather than as a representative of any organization. Actor Lekha Washington, several friends had been detained during demonstrations earlier on Saturday, and a small group set out on foot at around 5 pm to find out where they were, according to an Instagram post by his partner. As a person who lives in this city,” he told reporters. “I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted, i am here as a citizen. According to lekha, Officers grabbed her and Zayn, leaving both of them bruised, before the group was put into a vehicle.
Detention and Legal Complications
- Police interaction: Following his comments, authorities intervened, leading to the detention of the group.
- Physical account: Washington reported that she and actor Zayn Marie were handled roughly by officers, resulting in bruises.
- Logistical strain: The group was detained in a police van for approximately two hours, with Washington noting they were denied public transport and subjected to significant delays in Mumbai traffic.
- Documentation: Evidence of the evening, including videos of the group being taken into custody, circulated widely on social media shortly after the incident.
While Washington later confirmed on social media that the group was safe and back home, the FRRO notice has cast uncertainty over Khan’s future in India and his upcoming film projects. The incident has prompted broader calls within the film community, including from Abhijeet Dipke of the Citizens for Justice and Peace, for Bollywood to advocate for the actor. Kiran Rao wants to remake beloved K-Drama Reply 1988.
Important Details
- Also Read: Imran Khan faces deportation notice with Bollywood comeback film yet to release: What happens next.
