Teacher Slams Actor's Protest Stance

Spiritual psychotherapist Shruti Desai has publicly criticized actor Bhumi Pednekar's recent statements regarding the NEET-UG 2026 protest controversy. Desai, who identified herself as a former teacher of Pednekar's at a Mumbai film school, questioned the actor's evolving perspective on respect and responsibility. She recalled Pednekar being "disrespectful, almost disdainful" towards her teachers during their brief association.

Desai's intervention occurred as Pednekar faced significant online backlash for her social media videos on the student protests. Initially, Pednekar condemned the abusive language directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the need for respectful dialogue. However, critics accused her of selectively addressing the protests, overlooking alleged police action against students.

Further controversy arose when Pednekar condemned rape and death threats against a young female protester. Despite this clarification, many perceived her posts as damage control, arguing she should have first addressed the threats. The debate intensified with Desai's remarks, dividing public opinion on whether Pednekar deserves criticism or if her former teacher's comments were inappropriate.