25 July,2026 12:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Manav Kaul. Pic via Instagram
Actor and writer Manav Kaul was seen joining demonstrators at the student protest held at Dadar's Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Friday, July 24. Students across the country have been protesting against the NEET paper leak and other irregularities in exams, while demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. While several celebrities expressed their support to the youth, many others joined the protests physically to extend support, and Manav was one of them.
The actor, best known for his roles in the Netflix film Baramulla and Tumhari Sullu alongside Vidya Balan, was seen volunteering at the student protest in Mumbai, where he was seen distributing water bottles among the protestors. Dressed in a black polo neck t-shirt and jeans with a brown sling bag across his chest, Manav was seen carrying a crate of water bottles in his hand and distributing them among the protestors.
Several clips of the actor humbly participating in the protest have gone viral. Sharing the video, one user wrote, "Mad respect for my goat," calling him a real-life hero.
In another video, Manav Kaul was seen letting and encouraging students speak to reporters at the protest, saying, "They are important"
Shiv Sena (UBT) organised Tiranga Morcha at Shivaji Park on Friday, July 24, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak. The Mumbai protest was held amid the ongoing demonstrations nationwide over the NEET paper leak and irregularities in examinations.
Thousands of protestors carrying Tricolours packed the venue and its surrounding areas.
Local authorities reportedly estimated the turnout at around 2000 to 2500 as protesters gathered in large numbers around the Meenatai Thackeray statue at the venue holding placards and portraits of Bhagat Singh and Dr B R Ambedkar. Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray were present at the protest and even addressed the gathering.
At least four protesters were reportedly seen fainting amid the crowd and heat. Several celebrities, including actors Atul Kulkarni, Arjun Mathur, Kritika Kamra, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and comedian Kunal Kamra, were also seen attending the July 24 protest in Mumbai.
