Veteran actor Shabana Azmi experienced a health scare during a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Monday, where she had gone to support demonstrators associated with the Cockroach Janta Party. The 75 year old actor reportedly fell unwell while attending the gathering, prompting people around her to quickly step in and help.
Videos from the protest have since gone viral on social media, showing Shabana appearing weak and struggling to walk on her own. In the footage, several people can be seen holding her hands and carefully guiding her through the crowd toward a secure area. Students at the protest were also heard requesting security personnel to open a nearby gate so that the actor could be moved to a safer place without delay. After they informed the guards about her condition and identity, the gate was opened and she was taken near a security cabin.
The videos show supporters helping Shabana sit down so she could rest after feeling unwell. At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation about what caused her sudden illness. Her current health condition has also not been detailed publicly.
Shabana had visited Jantar Mantar a day earlier to express solidarity with the protesters. During her visit on Sunday, she met Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and others taking part in a hunger strike. Videos and photographs from that visit also attracted attention on social media, with many praising the veteran actor for standing with the demonstrators.
Shabana Azmi felt quite unwell at Jantar Mantar today due to the heat and suffocation.
— Amit Kumar Sindhi (@AMIT_GUJJU) July 20, 2026
She reportedly experienced dizziness and loose motions as well. I don't know what she might have eaten or drunk at Jantar Mantar.
Hopefully, she recovers soon,both physically and mentally. pic.twitter.com/5vTLD04thS
Before she fell ill, Shabana spoke to the media about the purpose of the protest. She said the people gathered at Jantar Mantar were peacefully raising issues they believed were important and were exercising the democratic rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s principles, she said peaceful protest has always been an important part of democracy and stressed that the demonstrators had no intention of using violence.
When asked if more Bollywood celebrities would join the movement, Shabana questioned why similar questions were not being asked of business leaders or other influential people. She said too much attention on whether film stars support a protest can take the focus away from the real issues that people are trying to highlight.
VIDEO | Delhi: Ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party's proposed protest march, veteran actress Shabana Azmi joined the protesters and says, "All of us who are here, have come for a peaceful protest, to exercise the right granted to us by our country's constitution. Mahatma Gandhi… pic.twitter.com/q1mx2cL7gN
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 20, 2026
Shabana is among several public figures who have visited Jantar Mantar to support the ongoing protest. Actors Swara Bhaskar, Prakash Raj and Poonam Pandey have also reportedly shown their support by visiting the site.
Other celebrities have expressed support online as well. Sonakshi Sinha recently shared a message asking activist Sonam Wangchuk to take care of his health during his hunger strike. Shabana had also earlier urged Wangchuk to end his fast, saying his guidance was valuable for young people and that he needed to stay healthy to continue his work. As fans await an update on Shabana Azmi’s health, many have taken to social media to wish the veteran actor a speedy recovery.