Should I get arrested? Actor Kubbra Sait takes a dig at Imran Khan's exit notice

Kubbra Sait used satire to question the FRRO notice directing Imran Khan to leave India after he attended a protest at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan. In her video, she also questioned the police's handling of the protest.

In Short

• Actor Kubbra Sait satirises notice against Imran Khan over protest attendance
• Khan detained for protesting electoral roll concerns at historic Mumbai site
• FRRO orders Khan to leave India by October 28 citing OCI rule breach

Actor Kubbra Sait questioned the notice directing actor Imran Khan to leave India after he attended a protest in Mumbai, turning to satire to highlight concerns about the right to dissent. In an Instagram video shared on Thursday, October 15, Sait questioned why people raising concerns about electoral rolls were facing action, with her sharpest jibes aimed at the controversy surrounding Khan.

"Guys, what is actually happening? I woke up this morning and Imran Khan has been asked to leave India because he was attending a protest. It was at August Kranti Maidan, the place associated with the Quit India Movement," she said, pointing to the historical significance of the location.

Sait went on to question the action against protesters who had raised concerns about the Election Commission's new voters' list.

"You know who is shaking right now? Shakespeare. Everybody else is also shaking because young people are questioning the Election Commission over the new voters' list. A thousand people have been detained. Why? Because they asked questions," she said.

Khan, who reportedly holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, was detained with his partner, actor Lekha Washington, during the October 10 protest. Sait joked about the development, saying, "He is an American citizen. Wow, what a plot twist."

She also reworked a popular meme (Toh kya karoon mai marr jaaun) to reflect the situation. "I think the 2026 version should be: ‘So what should I do? Should I get arrested?’" she said.

Recalling an exchange in which a protester reportedly asked the police to arrest them, only to be told to cooperate instead, Sait quipped, "Please tell me, is this an arrest or some sort of situation shift? Men I have dated have given me more clarity."

She ended her video with a pointed observation about democracy, saying that questions about elections should be met with discussion and answers. "Democracy is not without questions. Otherwise, it is only one expensive group chat where only admins can speak to each other," she said.

Watch the video here:

Why has Imran Khan been asked to leave India?

The protest at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan was called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Khan told the media at the demonstration that he was attending as a Mumbai resident, not as a representative of any political organisation.

After being detained, the actor shared a photograph that appeared to show him inside a police van, captioning it, "Apparently I'm going for a drive."

On October 15, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a notice directing Khan to leave India by October 28, citing alleged violations of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The action followed a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged that Khan had breached the conditions of his OCI status by participating in the protest.

Khan's lawyer, Zulfikar Memon, has confirmed that the actor plans to challenge the notice in the Bombay High Court. His legal team has argued that the order is drastic and that there is no specific provision barring OCI cardholders from participating in protests.

Actor and satirist Cyrus Broacha also criticised the controversy in an interview with India Today, saying that the right to peaceful protest and dissent should be upheld in a democracy. Filmmaker Kiran Rao and Ashoke Pandit have also shared their views on the issue.

As Khan prepares to challenge the notice, Sait's video adds to the debate over his participation in the protest and the action that followed.

- Ends