Kangana Ranaut Defends Lomdi Label for Naseeruddin Shah Amid Student Protest Row
Kangana Ranaut, the Member of Parliament from Mandi and former Bollywood actress, defended her use of the word “lomdi” (fox) to describe veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah after Shah criticized celebrities for remaining silent during student protests in Delhi. The remarks were made on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, and were posted on Ranaut’s Instagram Stories. She said the film industry’s reaction to the protests was hypocritical and that the issue was not new.
Ranaut’s comments followed a series of exchanges that began when Shah, in a televised interview, described certain Bollywood stars as “a dog with a bone in its mouth that cannot bark.” Piyush Mishra, a playwright and actor, responded by calling Shah a “lomdi.” Ranaut supported Mishra’s criticism and repeated the insult. In her post she added, “Sach toh yeh hai har koi kisi na kisi ka kutta hai, lekin mujhe iss baat ka garv hai ki main jis ghar ki roti khati hoon uski rakhwali karti hoon.” She further said, “PS In today’s time it’s a compliment for humans to be called a dog because loyalty and cuteness are so rare. I’d rather be a dog than a lomdi like Nasiruddin.”
The controversy is linked to the student protests that took place at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi between 6 June and 25 July 2026. The demonstrations were organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and several left‑wing student groups. Protesters demanded the resignation of the Education Minister and compensation for the cancellation of the 2026 NEET exam, which had been cancelled after a paper leak. The protests drew tens of thousands of participants and were met with a heavy police response.
Shah’s remarks were a response to the perceived silence of Bollywood celebrities during the protests. He said that many film personalities had not spoken out in support of the demonstrators. Mishra’s criticism of Shah focused on the same point and added that Shah had not addressed the protests in Jharkhand, where students were demanding reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations.
Ranaut also referenced her own experience with protests. She said that during a protest outside her residence, “at least two and a half thousand people” were outside and a large police force was deployed. She claimed that the police had to keep her house from being attacked, and she said that “they were shedding crocodile tears” when the protest was over.
In her post she urged members of the film industry who had expressed sympathy for the Jantar Mantar protests to also speak out about the situation in Jharkhand. She said, “The people in the film industry who shed crocodile tears over the Jantar Mantar protests ought to shed those same tears for the children in Jharkhand now.”
Ranaut also criticized Bollywood’s focus on Pakistan. She said, “Whether it is their films, their statements, or their interviews, when will this love affair with Pakistan end? They seem perpetually obsessed with Pakistan.” She added that the film industry should be answerable for its continued emphasis on Pakistan.
The dispute has attracted attention from both political and entertainment circles. Ranaut, who has been a vocal supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since her election to the Lok Sabha in 2024, has repeatedly used her platform to criticize what she sees as hypocrisy in the film industry. Shah, a three‑time National Film Award winner, has long been known for his outspoken views on social and political issues.
The controversy has not yet led to any formal action from industry bodies or political parties. However, the exchange has reignited discussions about the role of celebrities in political protests and the expectations placed on them by the public.
At present, the situation remains a heated debate on social media and in the press, with no resolution announced. The next development is likely to come from either the film industry’s response to Ranaut’s call for broader solidarity or from political leaders addressing the allegations of hypocrisy.
