Sanam Shetty found herself in the middle of controversy after she was stopped from speaking in Chennai after her speech at an anti-NEET protest was interrupted. That all came as she was arrested for speaking at an anti-NEET protest in Chennai, when the city anti-NEET rally that was not only directed at her speech was interrupted by the Communist Party of India (CPI) headquarters at which students, activists and supporters of the group voiced their views on the ongoing NEET crisis and alleged examination leaks.
The disruption quickly gained attention on social media, with videos of the incident circulating widely and provoking heated discussions about the intersection of politics, public protests, and freedom of expression.
Speech takes a political turn
During her speech, Sanam Shetty criticized what she said were politically motivated participants, calling some protesters “jesters”. She also praised actor-turned politician Vijay’s latest film Jana Nayagan and said she has become his fan.
Her comments immediately drew strong responses from certain sections of the audience. As tensions rose, some audience members reportedly grabbed the microphone from her and there was some confusion at the venue. The situation grew in intensity when people confronted her, forcing the actress to leave the stage before she could finish her address.
Sanam Shetty Responds
Sanam Shetty spoke to reporters after and defended her comments.
"Is watching one movie making me a joker?" she explained that showing appreciation for an actor or film shouldn’t be a cause of disruption.
Her response has since been widely shared on social media and users are divided.
Mixed Reactions Online
The episode has generated differing responses from the people.
Supporters of the actress were proud of the fact that she spoke up. They felt like everyone is entitled to voice their opinion and it wasn’t so much that she was silent, but that she was not.
But critics said, by speaking about Vijay during a protest about NEET, they diverted attention away from students’ concerns. According to them, the demonstration should have focused more on education policy and the purported irregularities in the exams than on political or film-related conversations.
NEET Protests Continue
The incident comes during Tamil Nadu’s ongoing protests on NEET and student groups and political parties demanding changes and highlighting the leak of examination results and the impact of entrance test for medical students.
For demonstrations to continue, the disruption involving Sanam Shetty has provided an additional layer to the public debate and it is clear that political beliefs and celebrity opinions can quickly become flashpoints during emotionally charged public gatherings.
Whether a matter of free speech or bad political commentary, the episode has become one of the most talked-about moments related to the anti-NEET protests in Chennai.
ஒட்டுமொத்த கொத்தடிமைகளையும் single ah சேதச்சு விட்டாங்க..
— Pokkiri_Victor (@Pokkiri_Victor) July 24, 2026
இதான்டா சம்பவம் 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥@ungalsanam u rocked 🔥🔥🔥👏👏🔥 pic.twitter.com/XW9o8w554s
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