Actor Adil Hussain, currently promoting his upcoming film 'Max, Min and Meowzaki', has weighed in on the current political climate in India, arguing that citizens, filmmakers, and politicians share collective responsibility for the state of the nation.

What Adil Hussain Said

Speaking to reporters during the film's promotional events in Mumbai, Hussain drew a direct line between society and its political leadership. 'See, the politicians did not land from Mars. They are the product of our society. So am I. So are you,' he said. 'So before I point fingers to the politicians, though they went and advertised themselves and they had gone and begged votes, they should be way more responsible than what they are right now — and so do the people, those who are doing art, those who are making films, influencing tremendous amount of people on the planet.'

Hussain pointed specifically to filmmakers as a powerful but underscrutinised force. 'The filmmaker is influencing a lot of people. Like thousands, millions of people every day. Through their films, through their vertical films or whatever they do. So how responsible are we? So why would we only point our fingers to the politicians and to the filmmakers? Filmmakers are also very powerful people and so are the politicians,' he said.

A Generational Warning

The actor called on all those in positions of influence — political or cultural — to reflect on what kind of society they are building for future generations. 'The thought has to be instilled with intensity so that they truly feel it. What kind of planet, country, society, my family am I going to leave behind?' he said. Hussain also cautioned against equating prosperity with societal health, noting that material wealth alone cannot shield the next generation from mental and social crises. 'Only Lakshmi will not help you. You might have Lakshmi but your children are suffering from X number of diseases, mental diseases, which you can see in America. Every person has a psychiatrist. So what kind of society are we even emulating?' he added.

He stressed that politicians, in particular, must be educated and globally aware. 'The politicians, of course, should be very educated in the first place, they must know what is happening in the world,' he said.

The Political Backdrop

Hussain's remarks come against a charged national backdrop. Tensions have been running high in New Delhi and have rippled to cities including Mumbai and Kolkata, with unrest spreading to smaller cities as well. The protests escalated after climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was removed by Delhi Police from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in the early hours of 18 July, after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice, and compliance with a Delhi High Court order.

Wangchuk had been fasting to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The controversy reached a flashpoint with the NEET paper leak scandal. On 20 July, protesters at Jantar Mantar were lathi-charged by police, leading to violent clashes. As of the latest reports, Wangchuk has entered day 24 of his hunger strike and has vowed to continue despite the crackdown.

About the Film

Hussain's upcoming project 'Max, Min and Meowzaki' is currently in its promotional phase. The actor has been vocal on social and political issues in the past, and his latest remarks extend that pattern of public engagement beyond his film work.