Bollywood actor Imran Khan, known for Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, has been directed to leave India by October 28, 2026, following his participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued the notice after authorities alleged that the actor violated immigration regulations by participating in a political demonstration despite holding American citizenship.
Why Was Imran Khan Asked to Leave India?
The controversy began on October 10, when Imran joined demonstrators at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police detained the actor during the demonstration, which also saw several other participants taken into custody.
Following the protest, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint questioning Imran’s participation as a foreign national.
Mumbai Police subsequently forwarded the complaint to immigration authorities, leading to the notice issued on October 15.
Does Imran Khan Hold Indian Citizenship?
Although Imran has spent much of his career in Bollywood, he is an American citizen and reportedly holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
OCI status allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to live and work in India without obtaining a conventional visa for each visit. However, it does not grant Indian citizenship or voting rights.
Importantly, whether participation in a peaceful protest justifies ordering an OCI cardholder to leave India is a separate legal question. An alleged immigration violation does not automatically establish wrongdoing.
What Happens Next?
The actor, who is Aamir Khan’s nephew, has been given until October 28 to leave the country.
As of October 15, there has been no confirmed public announcement about whether Imran intends to challenge the notice legally.
The development places the actor’s immigration status under scrutiny, with his response and any subsequent legal proceedings likely to determine what happens next.
