Veteran actress Kaushalya Gidwani, popularly known as Kitu Gidwani, made headlines with her outspoken comments on the ongoing student protests in the country, delivering one of her strongest public statements in recent times. Speaking during a media interaction, the actress made it clear that she has no intention of staying silent out of fear, insisting that decades of work have given her the confidence to express her views openly.
The conversation began with Kitu being asked whether actors today are more hesitant to speak on social and political issues compared to previous generations. Referring to the 1990s, the interviewer pointed out that Bollywood personalities were once known for expressing their opinions freely, whereas many now choose their words carefully, fearing professional consequences. Kitu responded without hesitation, saying, “I am not scared. I have 38 years of work behind me; I will speak my mind.”
Asked specifically about the developments at Jantar Mantar and the student protests, Kitu delivered an impassioned response. She said, “I think what is happening to the youth of this country is shameful. If the Prime Minister isn't worried about the youth, where is this country headed? How can he not look after the youth? Maybe he hates young people? It has come to that point; it really looks like he hates young people. It truly appears that he ran away from Parliament—20,000 young people were marching towards Parliament to speak to him, and he fled like a coward.”
The actress further asserted that she was unconcerned about any possible backlash for speaking out. “I am not scared; I have worked for 38 or 40 years. If someone wants to end my career, let them go ahead—I am happy with my life. I am very proud of the youth of this country; they have their whole lives ahead of them. Where will they go? India has slipped badly in global rankings. We are no longer the fifth or fourth-largest economy; we are far behind now. Bangladesh has overtaken us, and Sri Lanka has overtaken us. So, let us not fool ourselves into thinking we are a 'Vishwaguru' (world leader); at this point, we are nowhere near that.”
Kitu's remarks have quickly generated discussion online, with clips of her interaction circulating across social media platforms. While some users praised the actress for voicing her opinions candidly, others disagreed with several of her assertions, particularly her comments about the Prime Minister and India's global standing. As with many public statements on politically charged issues, her remarks have sparked debate among supporters and critics alike.
Kitu Gidwani has long been regarded as one of Indian television's most accomplished performers. She first gained widespread recognition as Svetlana in the iconic television series Swabhimaan, before becoming a household name as fearless journalist Geeta Vishwas in Shaktimaan. Although she exited the superhero series after a few episodes, her performances in Air Hostess, Dance of the Wind, Earth, Rukhmavati Ki Haveli, Abhay, and Deham established her as an actor known for choosing meaningful and unconventional roles.
Whether one agrees with her views or not, Kitu Gidwani's latest comments have once again demonstrated her willingness to speak candidly on issues she feels strongly about. Her remarks have added another voice to the wider conversation surrounding the ongoing student protests, while also reinforcing her long-standing image as an actor unafraid to express her opinions publicly.