MUMBAI (Mar 2, 2026) — Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has sparked a massive social media debate after condemning the joint US-Israeli military operation in Iran, which resulted in the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The “Bully” Allegation
Known for his vocal stance on global politics, Akhtar took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday to voice his concerns over the escalation in West Asia.
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The Statement: Akhtar compared Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu to “bullies,” stating they have pushed their adversaries to the wall, leaving them “no choice but to react in a decisive manner.”
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Global Credibility: He further suggested that the US and Israel may have “overplayed their hand,” noting that if they are allowed to replicate the Iraq War scenario in Iran, China risks losing its global credibility if it remains silent.
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The Response: When challenged by users to discuss the matter with China directly, Akhtar replied that his assessment was a “guess” and that the world would have to wait and see how Eastern powers respond.
Chaos in the Gulf
The military conflict has had immediate repercussions for the Indian film industry. Flight suspensions across the Gulf have left several celebrities stranded in Dubai, including:
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Sonal Chauhan
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Esha Gupta
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Subhashree Ganguly
Managers have confirmed that the actresses are safe in their hotels while they await the resumption of air travel.
Escalating Tensions
Following the February 28 strikes, the conflict has widened into Lebanon. On Monday, the Israeli military began striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut after the group fired rockets into Israel to avenge Khamenei’s death.
