The wave of support from the Malayalam film industry for the student-led protests over the alleged NEET paper leak has continued to gather momentum, with actors Dulquer Salmaan and Asif Ali becoming the latest prominent voices to express solidarity with the demonstrators at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Taking to Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Dulquer shared a lengthy statement calling for empathy, dialogue and understanding amid the ongoing protests. Referring to the developments at Jantar Mantar, the actor wrote, "What's happening at Jantar Mantar is a reminder to pause, listen, and choose understanding."
Describing education as "hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better future", the Sita Ramam actor said it was heartbreaking to see young people facing uncertainty. He also spoke about students who feel they have "no way forward" and parents carrying the emotional and financial burden of supporting their children's aspirations.
"Beyond every opinion are individuals with dreams, aspirations, families, and hopes that deserve compassion and respect," he wrote, adding that he hoped for "meaningful dialogue, peaceful resolutions, and decisions guided by wisdom and empathy". He concluded by saying that "a future built on understanding will always be stronger than one built on division and violence."
Asif also extended his support to the students through Instagram. Sharing a message in Malayalam, the Kishkindha Kaandam actor described the protesting students and young people in Delhi and across the country as "the promise of this nation's future". He said it was the responsibility of those in power to listen to their concerns and the duty of society to stand with them, ending his post with the message, "In solidarity with the students."
The latest statements come as support from Malayalam cinema continues to grow in the wake of the police action during the CJP protests. Actors Tovino Thomas, Parvathy Thiruvothu and Vismaya Mohanlal were among the first from the industry to condemn the alleged police action, with Kunchacko Boban, Naslen, Nazriya Nazim, Anaswara Rajan, Murali Gopy, Amal Neerad, Rima Kallingal, Soubin Shahir, Nikhila Vimal, Sharaf U Dheen, Shane Nigam, Rajisha Vijayan, Divya Prabha, Indrajith Sukumaran, Vishak Nair and several others subsequently voicing support for the protesting students.
Many of them have used their social media platforms to amplify videos and first-hand visuals from the demonstrations while calling attention to the alleged police violence. Several actors and filmmakers have also faced online criticism and trolling over their posts, but the public expressions of solidarity have continued to grow, making the Malayalam film fraternity one of the most vocal among India's film industries in backing the ongoing protests.
