Hrithik Roshan Backs Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Over NEET Leaks

New Delhi | July 18, 2026 : Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike has now caught the attention of India’s biggest film stars. Hrithik Roshan, known for playing a dedicated teacher in Super 30, shared his support this week. He is not alone. Several other actors have spoken up too, as Wangchuk’s health takes a serious turn.

Wangchuk, the 59-year-old engineer who inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in 3 Idiots, started a water-only fast on June 28 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. He wanted to protest the NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks. These leaks led to the exam’s cancellation, a re-test, and a heartbreaking loss: at least 11 students died by suicide.

Why Wangchuk Started the Fast

The NEET paper leak scandal shook students across India this year. Many young people had spent years preparing for this single exam, only to see it cancelled due to leaked papers. Some could not handle the stress and pressure that followed. Wangchuk called this a national tragedy that deserved a strong response.

He demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He also asked for wider reforms in how India handles high-stakes entrance exams. His fast, based only on water, continued for 21 days before doctors intervened.

Hrithik Roshan’s Message of Support

Hrithik Roshan shared a video of Wangchuk that actor Lisa Ray had first posted online. In the clip, Wangchuk spoke about the trauma students face after the alleged exam leak. Hrithik responded with a personal note. He said the message felt true to him, since he learned about student struggles while playing a teacher on screen.

This marks a rare public statement from the actor on a political issue. His comment linked his own film role to the real struggles many students now face because of the Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike and its underlying cause.

Other Celebrities Speak Up Too

Hrithik was not the only star to react. Sonakshi Sinha wrote that she had never made a public statement like this before, yet she could not stay silent any longer. Her father, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, called on the Prime Minister to step in and save Wangchuk. He described the activist as a peaceful education reformer fighting for the country’s youth.

Anurag Kashyap, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, and Swara Bhasker also voiced support. More than sixty filmmakers, writers, and journalists signed a joint letter as well, urging Wangchuk to end his fast for the sake of his health. Names like Zoya Akhtar and Arundhati Roy appeared on that list.

Health Concerns and Hospitalization

Wangchuk was hospitalized on Saturday after his condition worsened on day 21 of the strike. Delhi Police moved him to Safdarjung Hospital, citing directions from the Delhi High Court and urgent medical advice. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, asked doctors not to give him any treatment, oral or intravenous, without her consent and that of his family.

Angmo confirmed that the Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike would continue in some form despite the hospital transfer. She said the fight had grown beyond the NEET issue alone and now stood for deeper change in India’s education system.

What Comes Next

Protest organizers plan a march to Parliament on July 20, regardless of Wangchuk’s hospital stay. Another activist has already stepped in to continue the hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The movement shows no signs of slowing down, even as officials await final NEET results.

This case highlights a painful gap in India’s exam system, one that students, celebrities, and now much of the public refuse to ignore.

Tanmay Jagga from Saharanpur Secures AIR 74 in NEET 2025 with ALLEN Online