Actress Bhumi Pednekar has been accused of disrespectful behaviour towards teachers by Shruti Desai, who claims to have been her acting teacher at a film school in Mumbai.
The controversy comes amid the ongoing discussion surrounding the NEET protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Some protesters were accused of using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which Bhumi criticised. Her comments drew trolling on social media.
Amid this, a social media post by Shruti Desai, who claims to have taught Bhumi at a Mumbai film school, has also drawn attention. In the post, Desai recalled her experience of teaching the actress and alleged that Bhumi had behaved “disrespectfully” and “almost contemptuously” towards her teachers.
Desai questioned whether Bhumi’s views on respect and responsibility had changed since her time at the film school. Her remarks have since sparked discussion on social media.
Shruti Desai’s post.
Bhumi Pednekar condemned abuse against PM Modi
Bhumi Pednekar had said in her video message on 2 August that everyone has the right to question issues related to education and the system, but the way of expressing one’s point should be correct.
She had stated said that using such language against the person holding the country’s highest constitutional office is unacceptable and does not reflect Indian values.
The controversy began after a video from the CJP-led protest over the alleged NEET paper leak went viral on social media, showing protesters raising offensive slogans against the Prime Minister. The video sparked strong reactions from several public figures, including Bhumi Pednekar, actor Mukesh Khanna, and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. Read full news
Bhumi Pednekar has worked in many films like ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ and ‘Bala’.
Some social media users had called Bhumi’s statement ‘one-sided’. Critics said that Bhumi did not talk about the alleged lathi-charge, police action and the demands of the students during the ‘Parliament March’ on 20 July, but only focused on the sloganeering.
Meanwhile, in another video shared on 3 August, Bhumi Pednekar had said that a young student protesting at Jantar Mantar was being targeted on social media after her interview went viral. She was being sent scary threats and vulgar messages.
Bhumi had said that such online harassment deeply affects anyone’s mental health. She said that people should maintain sensitivity, respect, and empathy in their interactions, rather than going after someone’s life.
