Bhumi Pednekar is not having the most fun time right now probably. A video of hers went viral, where she is seen speaking out against protesters for using slogans criticising India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the NEET-UG 2026 protests.
According to her, the abusive slogans didn’t sit well with “Indian culture”, and that respectful dialogue was the only way forward.
While she is not entirely wrong in what she said, her point that a government official should be treated with respect just because of their rank and not their work did not sit well with people.
However, just when the discourse seemed to be cooling off, a woman claiming to be one of Bhumi’s former acting teachers jumped in with her own version of events, and things got messier from there.
What Did Bhumi Pednekar Say?
On August 1, 2026, Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar posted a video on her Instagram, condemning the ‘abusive language’ used by the protesters at the recently concluded Jantar Mantar protests.
Pednekar in the video said, “Looking at the videos surfacing now, the kind of language being used, and the way the youth of our country are speaking — the youth of our country… this isn’t how we talk, man. We are talking about someone who holds the highest office in the land today. And it’s not just about the office; would we ever speak like this to the elders in our own homes? Can we really resort to using abusive language?”
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She added, “Guys, this isn’t our culture; it’s wrong, and this really bothered me – that’s why I wanted to come forward and address this: a country will only progress and move forward when, collectively and unitedly, we discuss our flaws as well as the good things. Our culture and value system form our backbone; we shouldn’t stray from them. Otherwise, we won’t be able to communicate the right things in the right way, and they will never be implemented or lead to change.”
This struck many as being hypocritical, since the same is never turned around toward the politicians and authority figures who use bad language against the protesters, and also felt unbecoming of a democratic society where leaders should always be accountable to the general public.
The comments called out Pednekar, with one user writing, “He is not our father. We are not his children. He is a public servant who has been voted by Indian adults. And a leader deserves to be on the receiving end of the culture he propagates, and like a wise man said – ‘Every hegemonic order establishes not only acceptable political opinions but also an acceptable political language.
Protesters are expected to be polite even while protesting injustice. But history suggests that ruptures typically begin by breaking linguistic convention. The language of revolt is seldom parliamentary. It is emotional rather than measured, mocking rather than deferential, often deliberately transgressive – and what looks like vulgarity to the establishment is frequently the first public expression of accumulated humiliation and anger.'”
Several others humorously mocked her for doing a paid campaign for the government. One said, “It’s mandatory to include an #ad tag for paid collaborations”, while another wrote, “Okay sweetie nice to know ur income didn’t stop after the last few flops.”
A user also commented, “Would love to see you speak up when such language is used by our ministers too.”
Read More: From Rebuke To Respect: Indian Gen Z Has Turned The Story Around
Various content creators also called out Pednekar for her comments.
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What Did The Alleged Ex-Teacher Claim?
Just as the controversy over selective outrage seemed to be running its course, a new voice entered the conversation, this being an alleged former teacher of the actor from film school.
Shruti Desai, a spiritual psychotherapist, called out Bhumi for being hypocritical, since she was disrespectful to her own teachers as a student.
Desai, in an Instagram post, wrote, “@bhumisatishpednekkar I remember I was, briefly, one of your teachers at a Mumbai-based film school. Unfortunately for me, I also remember how disrespectful, almost disdainful, you were about your teachers. Care to explain your new approach towards the concepts of respect and responsibility and how your world-view changed so drastically in the interim?”
It has not been confirmed whether Desai really was the Indian actor’s teacher at any point in time, but the post got mixed reactions. One comment stated, “So according to you, if someone is disrespectful and callous in younger days, should they be the same throughout their life? Never expected this from a teacher (sic).”
While another wrote, “People calling her out for talking about how Bhumi was as a 15 yr old… she’s judging others of that age group now. Are you missing that point?”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Deccan Herald, Outlook India, Hindustan Times
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Bhumi Pednekar, Bhumi Pednekar controversy, Bhumi Pednekar video, Bhumi Pednekar news, neet protest, delhi jantar mantar protest, jantar mantar neet protests, anti modi slogans, gen z, gen z protesters
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