This isn't North Korea: Cyrus Broacha says govt badgering Imran Khan over citizenship

Actor-comedian and satirist Cyrus Broacha has criticised the controversy surrounding Mumbai Police asking actor Imran Khan to leave India. Speaking exclusively to India Today on Thursday, Broacha described the focus on Khan's citizenship and participation in a protest as unnecessary, arguing that people have the right to dissent and protest peacefully in a democracy.Broacha also said fear was preventing prominent actors, cricketers and businesspeople from speaking openly. Referring to Khan's detention and the memes that followed, he said the actor had remained humorous and well-behaved throughout the episode, regardless of whether publicity had played any part in his decision to attend the protest.Cyrus Broacha calls Imran Khan row 'ridiculous', backs right to protest"I find it ridiculous. I think the right to dissent and the right to protest should be fulfilled if you are in a democracy, and if he wants to do that, let him do that," Broacha said. He added that the debate over whether Khan was a citizen made him a "soft target" and questioned why the matter had become news.Broacha joked that he would rather discuss India vs South Africa's Test match and Matt Renshaw's innings of 195. He then said the government's approach was not working and offered it his advice. "I speak to a lot of young people. I use them to lean on when I am physically tired. I put my hand on their shoulder and I get a lot of feedback from them," he said. According to Broacha, dialogue, conversations, discussions and explanations were the only way forward in a democracy. He said large-scale shutdowns in Delhi, restrictions on movement and the calling out of Army personnel in response to protests, marches or dissent were "a little scary". Returning to Khan, he asked why the actor's participation had become an issue.People are scared: Broacha on Bollywood's silenceAsked whether the film industry shared such concerns, Broacha said people were scared and did not want to speak openly. "They say what they want to say behind closed doors. They won't say anything openly," he said. While some could argue that Khan had joined the protest for publicity and knew that the incident would go viral, Broacha maintained that he still had the right to participate. "Can't people show disagreement, dissent? Can't people peacefully protest? Isn't that part of the whole social fabric?" he asked. Broacha said singling out Khan was petty and unnecessary because the actor lived and worked in India. "I am not happy with this whole situation," he added.Speaking about dissent in Bollywood and the role of prominent faces such as Deepika Padukone, Broacha said VIPs were not speaking up because of fear. He said the government should reduce that fear, allow dissent and make its case through dialogue. "We are not a fascist state. This is not North Korea. We are not going to beat people. This is not going to become Tiananmen Square," he said.Broacha called for conversations and explanations about SIR and the Election Commission's patterns and procedures. He said the government should present its argument instead of spending time on Imran Khan. Joking about the actor sharing his name with another public figure, he said, "The real Imran Khan is in captivity in another country, and this poor fellow is being badgered for nothing."It is not like a terrorist attack: Broacha calls police response an overreactionHe said the actor had attended a largely peaceful protest. Recalling what happened in the area that day, Broacha said his son had gone to Mumbai's Grant Road station to pick up a friend but was sent back by the police after the area was shut."It is not like a terrorist attack," Broacha said, describing the response as an overreaction. He said the situation felt like a police state and had turned Khan's involvement into a larger issue. According to him, a well-known person had joined a protest and was then singled out with questions about whether he was a foreigner or a citizen.Broacha reiterated that the film industry was scared and said such action only deepened that fear. He asked why leading celebrities and prominent figures from the film industry, cricket and business were not voicing their opinions openly. "You have to question governance. That's part of being in a state of democracy," he said.He said there should be no problem as long as a protest remained peaceful and participants behaved in a civil and courteous manner. From the video he had seen, Broacha said Khan was well-behaved and did not misbehave. "He was a little snarky or cheeky, but that's fine. That's allowed," he said.Broacha expressed disappointment over the lack of public statements from famous and influential people. He said those who believed in the cause should come forward and speak about it.Cyrus Broacha on Imran Khan memesAddressing the memes around Khan, including the "Ranjhore Ka Rathore" reference, and suggestions that the episode could have been a publicity stunt, Broacha said famous people attending such events knew they would be seen, photographed and discussed. However, he did not view that negatively."He went and put his hand up, joined that protest and got detained. All of it was an uncomfortable thing to do," Broacha said. He added that Khan retained his sense of humour, remained charming and did not behave badly. "If I was in charge of the entire country, I would not give minus points for that. He does what he does. The opposition would have done the same," he said.Broacha maintained that Khan should not have been singled out for attending a largely peaceful protest. He said democratic disagreements should be addressed through dialogue rather than fear, while more prominent public figures should be willing to speak openly.Actor Imran Khan faces a Mumbai Police notice directing him to leave India by October 28 over his participation in a political protest as a foreign national. What led to the notice, and what does the law say? @sonal_MK breaks down the story. #ImranKhan #MumbaiPolice #PoliticalProtest #IndiaToday #AntiCECProtest #Bollywood #5Live— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) October 15, 2026The gathering on October 10 in Mumbai was called by author Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, in support of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms' demand for Kumar's resignation. Imran Khan attended the protest along with his cousin Zayn Marie and his girlfriend Lekha Washington. They were detained by the Mumbai police and released later in the evening of October 10.- Ends