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Actor Bhumi Pednekar is facing renewed criticism after her former acting teacher publicly challenged her recent remarks about "respect" and "public conduct" during the NEET-UG 2026 protest. Shruti Desai, who says she briefly taught Bhumi at a Mumbai-based acting school, has questioned the actor's comments about respecting elders and authority figures, alleging that Bhumi herself displayed a very different attitude during her student days. It comes after Bhumi criticised the language allegedly used by some protesters during demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the light of the controversy that led to several Bollywood stars reacting to the situation.

Taking to social media, Shruti Desai recalled her experience teaching Bhumi and expressed surprise at the actor's recent emphasis on respect and responsibility. Addressing Bhumi directly, Shruti wrote that she remembered the actor being "disrespectful" toward her teachers during her time as a student.

She posted, "I remember, I was, briefly, one of your teachers at a Mumbai-based film school. Unfortunately for me, I also remember how disrespectful, almost disdainful, you were about your teachers."

She further questioned what had caused such a significant change in Bhumi's outlook. "Care to explain your new approach towards the concepts of respect and responsibility and how your world-view changed so drastically in the interim?" she added.

 

The controversy began after   shared a video reacting to clips from the student protests, where she criticised the use of abusive language directed at the Prime Minister. In the video, she said the manner in which some young protesters expressed themselves deeply disturbed her. She argued that regardless of political differences, the country's highest constitutional office deserved dignity and questioned whether similar language would ever be used toward elders within one's own family.

Bhumi also stressed that respectful dialogue was essential if society hoped to achieve meaningful change. According to the actor, India's cultural values and traditions should guide public discourse, even during protests.

 

"Looking at the videos surfacing now, the kind of language being used, and the way the youth of our country are speaking — the youth of our country... this isn't how we talk, man. We are talking about someone who holds the highest office in the land today. And it’s not just about the office; would we ever speak like this to the elders in our own homes? Can we really resort to using abusive language?

Guys, this isn't our culture; it’s wrong, and this really bothered me — that’s why I wanted to come forward and address this: a country will only progress and move forward when, collectively and unitedly, we discuss our flaws as well as the good things. Our culture and value system form our backbone; we shouldn't stray from them. Otherwise, we won't be able to communicate the right things in the right way, and they will never be implemented or lead to change."

 

Her remarks immediately sparked widespread criticism online. Many users accused Bhumi of focusing on the tone of the protests rather than addressing the issues that had prompted students to take to the streets. For many critics, Bhumi's video appeared disconnected from the central concerns of the protest movement.