Filmmaker Kiran Rao on Friday backed actor Imran Khan after the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai directed him to leave India over his alleged participation in protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In an Instagram Story, Rao highlighted Khan’s long association with India, writing, “43 years old. 40 of those years in India. Studied here, worked here, succeeded here, failed here, loved here and fought here.”
Khan, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, participated in a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Police briefly detained him, his partner Lekha Washington and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan.
The FRRO issued the notice following a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged that Khan participated in the protest despite holding a US passport and an OCI card. The actor’s lawyer has said he will challenge the notice in the Bombay High Court.