Filmmaker Kiran Rao has voiced her support for actor Imran Khan after the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai instructed him to leave India by October 28. The actor reportedly holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. He received the notice after taking part in an October 10 protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
On Thursday, Kiran responded to a social media post about the incident, expressing disbelief at the notice. “Wah, now it's Mumbai police?” she wrote.
She also highlighted Imran’s longstanding connection with India, saying, “43 years old. 40 of those years in India. Studied here, worked here, succeeded here, failed here, loved here and fought here.”
Actor Saba Azad also criticised the development, reacting to the news with the words, “What? This is bulls**t.”
Why was Imran Khan detained?
The controversy began on October 10, when Imran, nephew of Aamir Khan, attended a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan. Organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the demonstration demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Imran and his partner, actor Lekha Washington, were among those detained by Mumbai Police during the protest.
Following his detention, Imran posted a photograph on social media that appeared to show him sitting inside a police van. He captioned it, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
Speaking to the media at the demonstration, the actor clarified that he had attended as a Mumbai resident and not as a representative of any political organisation.
“I don’t have demands. I’m here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I’m here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted, why people’s voices are being suppressed,” he said.
Why was Imran Khan asked to leave India?
On October 15, the FRRO issued a notice instructing Imran to leave India by October 28, citing alleged breaches of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
A Mumbai Police official confirmed that the notice had been served on the actor, who was residing in the Khar neighbourhood and held an OCI card.
The action came after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint alleging that Imran had breached the conditions attached to his OCI status by participating in the protest against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Somaiya had demanded the actor’s arrest and deportation, arguing that his involvement in the demonstration justified action by the authorities.
Imran Khan to challenge notice in Bombay High Court
Imran’s lawyer, Zulfikar Memon, has confirmed that the actor plans to challenge the FRRO notice in the Bombay High Court. His legal team is preparing a petition that was expected to be filed either on Friday or the following Monday.
According to reports, the actor’s lawyers have termed the order excessive and argued that no specific provision bars OCI cardholders from participating in protests.
The legal challenge is expected to oppose the directive requiring Imran to leave India by October 28.
