After actor Mohanlal’s daughter Vismaya faced cyberattack for condemning the Delhi Police’s actions to ‘suppress’ student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET-UG paper leak and examination reforms, film director and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Major Ravi on Thursday (July 23, 2026) sought to downplay her viral Instagram post, saying her reaction mainly stemmed from compassion rather than politics.

Vismaya, who was born and raised in Vietnam, does not have much political education, he said. Stating that he has known Vismaya since childhood and describing her as a sensitive and kind person, Mr. Ravi said she has always been deeply moved by the suffering of others, recalling that she would even cry on seeing stray animals in distress.

‘Emotional response’

According to him, the visuals of students being beaten up during the protests likely prompted her emotional response, he said in a social media post.

He also dismissed suggestions that Vismaya’s post reflected a political stand, stating that she was unlikely to be aware of the political aspects surrounding the NEET controversy or the alleged funding behind the protests. He also criticised those attempting to portray her as a supporter of the CJP.

Vismaya had earlier shared an Instagram post asking: “do you genuinely believe this is how a democracy should respond to its own citizens?” The post drew praise from supporters of the student protests, while others criticised both Vismaya and her father, actor Mohanlal, on social media.

Published - July 23, 2026 09:20 pm IST