Vivaan Shah clarifies viral CJP protest video of Naseeruddin Shah
Synopsis
A viral video claiming to show Naseeruddin Shah at a CJP student protest at Jantar Mantar was an old, selectively edited clip — and his son Vivaan Shah has now confirmed neither of them was actually present. The veteran actor was in Chennai for a shoot; his solidarity, he made clear, was expressed through an Instagram video, not in person.
Key Takeaways
Vivaan Shah clarified on 22 July that a viral video showing Naseeruddin Shah at a CJP protest was old and taken out of context.
Naseeruddin Shah could not attend the Jantar Mantar demonstration because he was travelling to Chennai for a shoot.
The viral footage was reportedly selectively edited from a theatre event , not the protest site.
Naseeruddin Shah posted a video on Instagram expressing solidarity with the students' movement, calling out ignorance in leadership.
Both Vivaan and Naseeruddin stated they intended to attend the protest and may still do so in future.
Actor Vivaan Shah on 22 July broke his silence over a viral video purportedly showing his father, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, at a Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) protest, calling it a case of misidentification rooted in an old, out-of-context clip. The clarification came after the video sparked widespread debate on social media about the senior actor's alleged participation in the student demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
What Vivaan Shah Said
Vivaan confirmed that both he and his father had intended to attend the protest in solidarity with the students' movement, but Naseeruddin was unable to do so because of a professional commitment — a shoot in Chennai on the day in question. Vivaan said, 'My father and I both wanted to go to the protest. He couldn't go because he had to travel to Chennai for a shoot today. Yesterday was his birthday, but that video was an old video, and there was a misunderstanding. We wanted to be there and show our support and solidarity with the students' movement. Our hearts are always with them, and we want to give them support, solidarity, strength, and love.'
He added, 'However, that video created a misunderstanding that we were present there. Although we wanted to go, we couldn't make it. We will try to be there.'
How the Viral Video Spread
A clip circulating widely on social media claimed to show Naseeruddin Shah standing in solidarity with students protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with several users alleging that his sons Imaad Shah and Vivaan Shah had also joined the demonstration. The footage was, however, found to be selectively edited — the original video reportedly showed Naseeruddin at a theatre event, not at the protest site.
Notably, this is not the first time a public figure's image has been misappropriated through edited clips during politically sensitive student demonstrations, underscoring how quickly decontextualised footage can shape public perception.
Naseeruddin Shah's Actual Statement
While the veteran actor was not physically present at the protest, he did express solidarity through an Instagram video posted on his official handle. In it, he said, 'I would like to say two things to all of you. First, if an ignorant person were to lead this country, they would want the entire nation to become just like them — ignorant, unaware, incapable, and ruthless.'
He further added, 'Despite completing two separate acting courses at the National School of Drama and the Pune Film Institute, the most I have learned about acting has been from the students I have tried to teach. I stand in complete solidarity with them. I offer them my heartfelt blessings with every breath and salute them on every Teachers' Day.'
Context and Significance
The episode illustrates the speed at which selectively edited videos can fuel misinformation, particularly around high-profile figures and politically charged protests. The CJP-linked student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar have drawn attention from several members of the arts community, making any perceived celebrity endorsement — real or fabricated — a flashpoint for online debate. Vivaan's clarification, while setting the record straight, also signals that both father and son remain sympathetic to the students' cause and may yet participate in future demonstrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vivaan Shah say about the viral CJP protest video of Naseeruddin Shah?
Vivaan Shah said the video was old and had created a misunderstanding. He clarified that neither he nor his father was present at the Jantar Mantar protest, as Naseeruddin Shah had to travel to Chennai for a shoot on that day.
Was Naseeruddin Shah actually at the Jantar Mantar CJP protest?
No. According to Vivaan Shah, Naseeruddin Shah was not present at the protest. The viral video was reportedly selectively edited from footage of a theatre event and did not show him at Jantar Mantar.
How did Naseeruddin Shah express his solidarity with the students?
Naseeruddin Shah posted a video on his official Instagram handle expressing full solidarity with the student protesters. In it, he criticised ignorance in leadership and said he salutes students on every Teachers' Day, drawing on his own training at the National School of Drama and the Pune Film Institute.
Who else was said to be at the protest in the viral video?
Several social media users claimed that Naseeruddin Shah had attended the Jantar Mantar demonstration along with his sons Imaad Shah and Vivaan Shah. Both the alleged attendance and the family's collective presence were disputed by Vivaan's clarification.
Do Vivaan and Naseeruddin Shah plan to attend any future protests?
Yes, according to Vivaan Shah. He stated that both he and his father wanted to be present and intended to try to attend future demonstrations in support of the students' movement.
