July 29, 2026: Bollywood’s response to the Sonam Wangchuk-led protests has come under scrutiny from author and columnist Shobhaa De, who says the industry’s biggest stars appeared out of sync with the country’s younger generation. In a recent column, she questioned the remarks made by several celebrities, with Salman Khan’s social media post emerging as one of her sharpest criticisms.
Writing for ThePrint, De said the entertainment industry’s reaction to the protests revealed how out of touch many prominent actors have become with the concerns driving young Indians.
Her sharpest criticism was reserved for Salman Khan’s widely discussed Instagram post, in which the actor addressed Wangchuk as “bro” and urged him to end his hunger strike, even offering to send him food from his home.
Referring to the post, De wrote that the message drew ridicule rather than appreciation. She argued that what may have been intended as a friendly gesture failed to resonate with younger audiences, who viewed it as misplaced and tone-deaf.
Shobhaa De Calls Out Salman Khan’s Wangchuk Post, Says Bollywood Is ‘Uncool’
Shobha De also questioned the responses of other Bollywood personalities, including Kangana Ranaut, Hema Malini and Anupam Kher. According to the columnist, their comments did little to connect with the sentiment surrounding the youth-led movement and instead invited criticism online.
In her article, Shobha De suggested that Bollywood’s biggest names underestimated the changing relationship between celebrities and younger audiences. She argued that Gen Z no longer looks to film stars for validation or leadership and instead forms its own opinions independent of celebrity endorsements.
“The reality,” De wrote, “is that celebrities today need Gen Z more than Gen Z needs celebrities,” adding that the younger generation has established its own voice and cultural identity beyond traditional star influence.
Salman Khan’s message to Wangchuk became widely shared on social media during the activist’s hunger strike. In the post, the actor appealed to Wangchuk not to continue his fast, writing, “Sonam, it’s done, bro. Don’t extend this… If u want, will send u food from home.”
The post sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising Khan’s concern while others criticized the informal tone. De’s latest comments have added another layer to the ongoing debate over Bollywood’s role in responding to social and political issues, particularly at a time when younger audiences increasingly expect public figures to engage with greater sensitivity and authenticity.
