Salman Khan Appears To Respond To Trolls After Student Protest Post: ‘Jo Darr Gaya Woh Mar Gaya’

Salman Khan appears to have hit back at trolls after facing criticism over his support for students protesting against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The actor shared a series of shirtless gym pictures on Instagram on Saturday, accompanied by a cryptic caption that many interpreted as a response to those questioning his stance on the issue.

The post came a day after Salman publicly backed students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and appealed to education reformer Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. While several fans praised the actor for speaking out, others accused him of taking a cautious approach by expressing faith in the government’s response. Some social media users even claimed that the superstar had “got scared” after receiving backlash online.

Without directly addressing the criticism, Salman posted mirror selfies from a gym, flaunting his muscular physique. The caption read, “Salman Khan darr gaya… Hmmmm… Jo darr gaya woh mar gaya,” referencing the iconic dialogue from Sholay. The phrase, loosely translated as “The one who gets scared is as good as dead,” was widely interpreted as a subtle response to those accusing him of backing down.

Within minutes, the post attracted millions of likes and thousands of comments. Fans rallied behind the actor, with many praising both his fitness and his confidence. Several users remarked that the caption was a clear message to critics, while others simply admired the 60-year-old actor’s physique, calling him an inspiration for maintaining his fitness over the years.

The social media activity follows Salman’s detailed statement on the ongoing student movement. Sharing his thoughts on Instagram, the actor described education as the foundation of the country’s future and said students should remain the government’s highest priority. Referring to the alleged paper leak controversy, he called it a “very serious issue” that deserved immediate attention.

Salman also urged students to continue protesting peacefully and requested that Sonam Wangchuk end his indefinite hunger strike, expressing confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take appropriate action against those responsible. He argued that enough attention had already been drawn to the issue and said the movement should remain centred on education rather than political interests.

His remarks, however, triggered mixed reactions online. While supporters appreciated him for standing with students, some critics felt his message appeared to soften the criticism directed at the authorities. Others accused him of trying to strike a middle path by supporting the protesters while simultaneously expressing confidence in the government’s response.

The actor has not directly addressed any of these criticisms. Instead, his latest Instagram upload has become the centre of attention, with many believing the caption was his way of dismissing claims that he had been intimidated by online trolling.

The controversy comes amid a nationwide movement demanding greater transparency and accountability in competitive examinations following allegations of question paper leaks. The protests intensified after clashes between demonstrators and police during the “Sansad Chalo” march in Delhi and gained further momentum when Sonam Wangchuk launched an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with students.

In recent days, several members of the film industry have voiced their opinions on the issue. Celebrities including Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Ayesha Khan, Shekhar Suman and Vishal Dadlani have either supported the students or commented on the handling of the demonstrations, adding to the growing public debate.

On the professional front, Salman is gearing up for the release of Battle of Galwan, based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The film, in which he portrays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, is among the most anticipated Bollywood releases of next year.

Although Salman has not explicitly stated that his latest post was aimed at his critics, the timing and wording of the caption have fuelled speculation. For many fans, the message signalled that the actor remains unfazed by the online backlash and is unwilling to let criticism dictate his views.