Exclusive - Falaq Naaz responds to Akanksha Puri's claim on student Protest: 'I wasn't offered or paid, I was there on my own will'
ETimes | July 29, 2026 2:39 PM CST
Actress Falaq Naaz responded to TV actor Akanksha Puri ’s allegation that celebrities were paid to join a student protest at Jantar Mantar , stating that her participation was voluntary and that she received no financial incentive.
Puri had earlier told a media agency that the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) approached her with an offer that included money, flight tickets, hotel accommodation, and a request to post promotional Instagram reels to boost the demonstration. Calling such paid involvement a “marketing campaign,” Puri refused the proposal and added that student movements should be supported with “genuine sincerity rather than commercialized deals.”
Reacting to the statement, Falaq Naaz clarified her position on the gathering.“I went to the... ah, it wasn't a protest, it was just a celebration,” Naaz said. “And as far as Akanksha Puri is concerned — obviously people will say likewise. So I will only say this: I did not receive any offer from anyone to say anything. I stood here out of my own will. Neither did any funds come into my account, nor was I told to do this by anyone. Whatever I did, I did out of my own will, from the heart, and for the sake of love.”
The actress further added, “So god bless everyone. This is their opinion. You cannot change someone's opinion. We are not here to argue. The point is this.”
Naaz, best known for her roles in Sasural Simar Ka and Bigg Boss OTT 2, remains active on social media and was recently seen in the TV show Pati Anaadi. She said her presence at the event was driven by support for students and not by any external backing.
Puri had earlier told a media agency that the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) approached her with an offer that included money, flight tickets, hotel accommodation, and a request to post promotional Instagram reels to boost the demonstration. Calling such paid involvement a “marketing campaign,” Puri refused the proposal and added that student movements should be supported with “genuine sincerity rather than commercialized deals.”
Reacting to the statement, Falaq Naaz clarified her position on the gathering.“I went to the... ah, it wasn't a protest, it was just a celebration,” Naaz said. “And as far as Akanksha Puri is concerned — obviously people will say likewise. So I will only say this: I did not receive any offer from anyone to say anything. I stood here out of my own will. Neither did any funds come into my account, nor was I told to do this by anyone. Whatever I did, I did out of my own will, from the heart, and for the sake of love.”
The actress further added, “So god bless everyone. This is their opinion. You cannot change someone's opinion. We are not here to argue. The point is this.”
Naaz, best known for her roles in Sasural Simar Ka and Bigg Boss OTT 2, remains active on social media and was recently seen in the TV show Pati Anaadi. She said her presence at the event was driven by support for students and not by any external backing.
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